2.1.1 Watersheds, Adjoining IRWM Regions, and Overlapping Efforts

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1 SECTION 2. REGION DESCRIPTION 2.1 North and Central Orange County IRWM Region The North and Central OC IRWM Region (Region/IRWM Region) is comprised of the North OC Watershed Management Area (WMA) and the Central OC WMA. This IRWM Plan (The OC Plan) discusses the entire region for management, implementation and collaboration objectives, and individual WMAs for planning within the watersheds. The Region exemplifies the significant issues that Southern California faces. The Region experienced a relatively rapid transition during the twentieth century from open space to agriculture and then to urban land uses. The urban land uses included the dominating residential housing form of land use, including major master-planned communities but also significant commercial and industrial uses, as well as major military installations. At the same time, the resource management strategies that prevailed during this century of transition focused first on drainage, then water supply, then flood management, then erosion control, and finally water quality, leading up to the twenty-first century and the era of integration and multifunctionality. The long-term average rainfall in Orange County is 14 inches per year. The Mediterranean climate in Orange County is characterized by brief, intense storms between October and March. It is not unusual for a majority of the annual precipitation to fall during a few storms within a short period of time. The higher elevation portions of the watershed (usually the headwater areas) typically receive significantly greater precipitation, due to orographic effects. In addition, rainfall patterns are subject to extreme variations from year to year and longer-term wet and dry cycles. The combination of steep topography, brief intense storms, and extreme temporal variability in rainfall result in flashy systems where stream discharge can vary by several orders of magnitude over very short periods of time Watersheds, Adjoining IRWM Regions, and Overlapping Efforts Establishing the IRWM Region to encompass both the North OC WMA and the Central OC WMA provides the opportunity to bridge existing and developing watershed planning efforts, allowing for more effective collaboration and greater opportunity to leverage agency resources across jurisdictions within and outside of the watershed management areas. Commonalities within the Region, including hydrology, water supplies, water quality, agencies, and services, make this IRWM Region ideal for collaborative planning and implementation. Figure 2-1 shows the North and Central OC IRWM Region and its location in relation to the state, surrounding counties, and the South OC IRWM Region. Figure 2-2 shows the watersheds within the IRWM Region. Figure 2-3 shows the primary topographic features. 2-1

2 Figure 2-1: North and Central OC IRWM Region and Regional Location 2-2

3 Figure 2-2: Watersheds in the IRWM Region 2-3

4 Figure 2-3: Primary Topographic Features The North and Central OC WMAs include the following hydrologic units (discussed further in Section 2.4 Hydrologic Units and Delineation) as defined by the United States Geologic Survey and used in the Water Quality Control Plan of the Santa Ana River Basin (Basin Plan). San Gabriel River Hydrologic Unit A portion of the North OC WMA is located within the San Gabriel River Hydrologic Unit. The San Gabriel River Hydrologic Unit covers approximately square miles with 828 miles of waterways within the San Gabriel Watershed. Approximately square miles of the hydrologic unit drains to the San Gabriel River from the Coyote Creek Watershed. 2-4

5 Santa Ana River Watershed Hydrologic Unit Both the North and South OC WMAs are within the Santa Ana River Watershed Hydrologic Unit. The Santa Ana River Watershed drains a 2,650 square-mile area, although covers an area of square miles within Orange County; the largest watershed in Orange County. Both hydrologic units within Orange County are within the Santa Ana Regional Board jurisdictional area, which also includes portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Appropriate IRWM Region The OC Plan s RWMG determined that the North and Central OC WMAs are an appropriate region for integrated water planning because of its congruence with the natural hydrogeologic boundaries, its inclusion within the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Regional Board) boundaries (see Figure 2-15), a shared groundwater basin (see Figure 2-6), and similar climate effects, all generating similar water planning within each WMA. The OC Plan brings together short-term and long-term management strategies that will protect and enhance water resources in the Region. Water management strategies are integrated to provide a reliable water supply, protect and improve water quality, and achieve other objectives. The OC Plan is designed to help local agencies and governments manage their water, wastewater, and ecological resources of the watersheds in an integrated manner. The OC Plan defines the Region, identifies potential projects intended to improve water quality and supply within the Region, investigates project feasibility, engages in long-range water planning, and establishes project priorities of the member agencies. It is also a goal of the Region to set a strategy to obtain funding to implement projects as funding is available. The OC Plan does not, however, specifically create a commitment to implement projects or the resources to do so. In the Region, integration is effectively achieved across regional boundaries by the County, OCWD, OCSD, MWDOC, and their member agencies. Stormwater management and pollution control is effectively coordinated across watershed boundaries by Orange County Public Works (OC Public Works) Department as the principal NPDES Permittee, TMDL program coordinator, and Flood Control infrastructure owner and operator of countywide regional and subregional flood control facilities. Environmental stewardship is integrated across adjacent regions through the Natural Communities Coalition (NCC) as administrator of NCCP/HCP, environmental coalitions such as the Orange County Coastkeeper; Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks; Orange County Green Vision; and the oversight and planning of regulatory agencies such as the CDFW. The OC Plan Region and the South OC WMA are integrated through the sharing of County of Orange staff. 2-5

6 2.1.2 North Orange County Watershed Management Area The North OC WMA encompasses the Santa Ana River Watershed, the Lower San Gabriel River/Coyote Creek Watershed, and the Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour Watershed. These watersheds have approximately 1.8 million residents 1 and provide employment for almost 1 million people. These watersheds carry the runoff for approximately one-third of Orange County s area, provide the riparian habitat for many flora and fauna, and include 35 miles of ocean coastline and many of the remaining significant estuary areas along the southern California coastline. Four relatively flat elevated areas, known as mesas, occur along the coastal boundary of the basin. The mesas were formed by ground surface uplift along the Newport Inglewood Fault Zone. Ancient meandering of the Santa Ana River carved notches through the uplifted area and left behind sand- and gravel-filled deposits beneath the lowland areas between the mesas, known as gaps (Poland et al., 1956). Groundwater in the shallow aquifers within the gaps is susceptible to seawater intrusion. The Talbert and Alamitos seawater intrusion barriers were constructed to address this problem. Maintaining beach water quality, clean ocean water and meeting total maximum daily load/national Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TMDL/NPDES) requirements are critical components as are using water resources in an efficient manner. Figure 2-4 shows the location of the North OC WMA and Figure 2-5 shows the North OC watersheds Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbor Watershed The Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour Watershed covers square miles south of the Carbon Creek Watershed. The watershed includes portions of the cities of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton and Westminster. Surface water systems provide drainage within this watershed, which includes the Bolsa Chica Channel that provides drainage to the Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour, and the East Garden Grove-Winterburg channel that carries flow to Bolsa Bay and ultimately to Huntington Harbour. Westminster Channel connects to the Bolsa Chica Chanel and Sunset Channel. Lake Huntington and Talbert Lake are also located in this watershed within Huntington Central Park. Lake Huntington is a man-made 12-acre lake with water year-round. Talbert Lake is 16 acres and typically dries up when groundwater levels drop during summer months. 1 Population estimates in Table

7 The OC PLAN for IRWM in North and Central Orange County Section 2 Figure 2-4: North OC Watershed Management Area Location 2-7

8 Figure 2-5: North OC Watersheds 2-8

9 Lower San Gabriel River/Coyote Creek Watershed The Lower San Gabriel River/Coyote Creek Watershed covers an area of square miles located within the northwest corner of Orange County, which includes the Carbon Creek Watershed. The watershed includes portions of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia and Seal Beach. The primary surface water body within the watershed is the Coyote Creek, which flows from Los Angeles County to the San Gabriel River. Carbon Creek flows from the foothills to the San Gabriel River and has six retarding basins. Other creeks and channels include Brea Creek, Moody Creek, Fullerton Creek, and Los Alamitos Channel. Brea Dam was constructed in 1942 primarily for flood control purposes. It is in the City of Fullerton on Brea Creek and is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2 Recreation facilities, managed by City of Fullerton Community Services, have been built near the 87-foot high dam location and covers more than 241 acres. Normal dry weather storage is about 1 acre-foot, while the flood control capacity of the reservoir is 4,000 AF. The drainage area is 21.6 square miles from Brea Creek and its tributaries. Fullerton Dam, also located in the City of Fullerton, was constructed in 1941 for flood control purposes and is owned by the USACE and managed by the Orange County. Recreation facilities have been built near the 46-foot high dam location. Normal dry weather storage behind the dam is 1 acre-foot, while the flood control capacity of the Fullerton Reservoir is 1,342 AF with a maximum discharge of 3,640 cubic feet per second (cfs). The drainage area is 5 square miles. Carbon Canyon Dam, located in the City of Brea within the Carbon Creek Watershed, was constructed in 1961 for flood control purposes and is owned by the USACE and managed by Orange County. Recreation facilities have been built near the 99-foot high dam location. Normal dry weather storage behind the dam is 1 acre-foot, while the capacity of the Fullerton Reservoir is 7,033 AF. 3 The drainage area is 19.3 square miles Santa Ana River Watershed The Santa Ana River Watershed is home to over 6 million people and includes the major population centers of parts of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, as well as a sliver of Los Angeles County. Figure 2-6 shows the entire Santa Ana River Watershed

10 Figure 2-6: Santa Ana River Watershed The Santa Ana River flows over 100 miles and drains the largest coastal stream system in Southern California. It discharges into the Pacific Ocean at the City of Huntington Beach. The total length of the Santa Ana River and its major tributaries is about 700 miles. The portion of the watershed within Orange County (referred to here as the watershed ) is located primarily in the northeast part of the county with a small portion that follows the Santa Ana River to the ocean, passing through the Talbert Watershed. The watershed includes portions of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda. The primary surface waters in the watershed are the Santa Ana River and Santiago Creek, which is the Santa Ana River s main tributary within Orange County. The Talbert and Huntington Beach Channels drain the western side of the watershed, carrying flow to the 2-10

11 Talbert Marsh along the coast. The Greenville-Banning Channel drains the eastern side of the watershed and carries flow to the Santa Ana River. The watershed includes Santiago Dam, located at Irvine Lake, and Villa Park Dam. Irvine Lake (also known as the Santiago Reservoir) captures flows from Santiago Creek and provides water supplies to the Serrano Water District and the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD). While IRWD is a partial owner of the lake, Serrano Water District runs its operations. Irvine Lake has a normal storage of 25,000 acre feet (AF) of water at 791 feet elevation. Maximum storage is 28,000 AF in the event of a flood. The reservoir is the largest man-made lake in Orange County and is the largest body of fresh water entirely within the county, which is contained by the 810-foot-high Santiago Dam, and drains an area of 64 square miles. In normal weather years, less water is stored than the maximum level. Maximum levels are only reached during wet years. After construction in 1931, the lake served the agricultural and farming communities surrounding Irvine Lake. Today, it is well known for fishing and recreation Central Orange County Watershed Management Area The Central OC WMA encompasses the Newport Bay Watershed and the northern portion of the Newport Coast Watershed. These watersheds are within the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Regional Board, and are highly urbanized areas with challenging issues related to water quality and protection of coastal resources and habitat. Supporting nearly 1 million people, these two adjoining subregional watersheds lie at the southern edge of the broader Santa Ana River Watershed. The Central OC planning area shares groundwater resources and an imported water system with other areas in the Santa Ana region while the watershed management issues within this area are distinct and integrally linked to the Region s fragile coastal ecosystem. The headwaters originate in the local foothills, and the entire area drains to the ocean, making this a distinct planning area for water quality and ecosystem processes. Figure 2-7 shows the location of the Central OC WMA and Figure 2-8 shows the Central OC watersheds. 2-11

12 The OC PLAN for IRWM in North and Central Orange County Section 2 Figure 2-7: Central OC Watershed Management Area Location 2-12

13 Figure 2-8: Central OC Watersheds 2-13

14 This WMA, located approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 70 miles north of San Diego, includes three Critical Coastal Areas (CCA) 4, two Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) 5, nine miles of coastline, and a functioning estuary designated as a state ecological reserve. Areas of Special Biological Significance are further described in Section Newport Bay Watershed The Newport Bay Watershed encompasses an area of approximately 154 square miles with overland flows draining toward the Pacific Coast into Newport Bay. The watershed is bounded in the northeast by the Loma Ridge foothills and the Santa Ana Mountains. The southern edge is bounded by the San Joaquin Hills. Between the Santa Ana Mountains and the San Joaquin Hills lies the flat, alluvial Tustin Plain. The lowest area of this plain is the historical location of the Swamp of the Frogs. Runoff originating in the northern hills now flows south through flood control channels, into the San Diego Creek Channel, through the Tustin Plain, and then into Upper Newport Bay. On the other side of the San Joaquin Hills is the Newport Coast Watershed, which consists of a series of coastal canyons that drain directly to the ocean. These changes in land use and the location of the former military bases within the Newport Bay Watershed have resulted in the discharge of toxic substances, including metals and pesticides, into San Diego Creek and Upper Newport Bay. Lower Newport Bay, which includes Newport Harbor, has additional water quality issues associated with metals used in boat paints. The Rhine Channel, located at the western end of Lower Newport Bay, has been surrounded by industrial uses such as canneries, metal plating companies, and shipyards since the 1920s (Anchor 2006). The Rhine Channel is a dead-end 4 The Critical Coastal Areas (CCA) Program is an innovative program to foster collaboration among stakeholders and government agencies, to better coordinate resources and focus efforts on coastal watersheds in critical need of protection from polluted runoff. An initial list of 101 CCAs 5 These are 34 ocean areas monitored and maintained for water quality by the State Water Resources Control Board. ASBS cover much of the length of California's coastal waters. They support an unusual variety of aquatic life, and often host unique individual species. ASBS are basic building blocks for a sustainable, resilient coastal environment and economy. 2-14

15 channel in which toxic pollutants have accumulated in the sediment. Sediment accumulation in the bay due to erosion from San Diego Creek and its tributaries has resulted in adverse effects on habitat in the bay and on the use of the Lower Newport Bay channels for navigation Newport Coast Watershed Before 1940, most of the Newport Coast Watershed was undeveloped and largely covered by coastal sage scrub habitat. Some cattle grazing did occur, which disturbed the native vegetation and caused a net increase in sediment loads in runoff and sedimentation of the canyon creek beds. Development of the Newport Coast Watershed began to increase in the 1940s and 1950s. Grading operations for the Shorecliff, Corona Highlands, Cameo Shores, and Corona Highland communities, as well as transportation corridors like Highway 1, intruded into the canyon areas along Buck Gully and Morning Canyon. One offshoot of Morning Canyon (Surrey Canyon) was filled entirely. Since 1990, the Newport Coast Watershed has been developed extensively, primarily for residential use (Weston 2007). The Newport Coast Watershed covers approximately 11 square miles and is located between the cities of Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. The boundary between the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Boards falls between Muddy Canyon and Moro Canyon and divides the Newport Coast Watershed in two. The Newport Coast Watershed consists of eight small coastal channels (listed from north to south): Buck Gully Creek, the Morning Canyon Channel, Pelican Point Creek, Pelican Point Middle Creek, Pelican Point Waterfall Creek, Los Trancos Creek, Moro Canyon and Muddy Canyon. All surface water in this coastal watershed drains to the Pacific Ocean via overland flow and storm drain systems. The Newport Coast Watershed is bordered on the north and northeast by the Newport Bay Watershed and contoured on the east and south by the Laguna Coastal Streams Watershed. Two CCAs and two ASBSs are located in the Newport Coast Watershed: 1) Newport Beach (Robert E. Badham) Marine Life Refuge (ASBS No. 32/CCA No. 70); and 2) Irvine Coast Marine Life Refuge (ASBS No. 33/CCA No. 71). Figure 2-9 shows the surface water bodies in the Region. Figure 2-11, shown later, includes the Orange County Basin Boundary (Coastal Plains of Orange County Basin). 2-15

16 2.1.4 Integrated Watershed Management in the Region Agencies and stakeholders within the Region place a strong emphasis on watershed planning and integration. Over the past decade, the County, cities, water and wastewater agencies, and public stakeholders have participated in watershed-level planning to assess and develop projects to enhance the overall health of the Region s watersheds. The overall goal of the monitoring, assessment, and research efforts is to track progress toward solving existing problems, identify emerging issues that could become problems in the future, and support research and development that improves our understanding of key processes and advances the efficiency and effectiveness of monitoring methods. The approach is detailed in the State of the Environment Report, Santa Ana Region 6 prepared in Integrated planning has occurred within the watershed management areas naturally, progressively, and due to regulatory requirements. These efforts include, but are not limited to: Watershed Management Plans. As presented in Section 1.1, in Orange County, there are 11 watersheds grouped into three watershed management areas. The eleven watersheds in Orange County are grouped by similar characteristics into three Watershed Management Areas: North, Central, and South. As each Watershed Management Area (WMA) is a collaborative framework for municipalities and special purpose agencies to work collaboratively and find synergies across water resource disciplines, Watershed Management Plans were developed for each of the three WMAs. 7 The North and Central OC WMAs, which include five watersheds, are joined in The OC Plan for IRWM planning. Comprehensive Water Quality Analyses for the Watersheds. The Environmental Monitoring Division of OC Public Works/Environmental Resources implements monitoring programs to comply with municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit requirements on behalf of the County, the Orange County Flood Control District, and the 34 cities of Orange County (Orange County Stormwater Program). 8 The MS4 Permit Monitoring Plan for the Santa Ana Region of Orange County 9 fulfills the requirements of NPDES Permit No. CAS618030, Order No. R (amended by Order No. R ). The County developed a Model Water Quality Management Plan (2011 WQMP) to assist with project development and development project proponents with addressing post-construction urban runoff and stormwater pollution from new development and significant redevelopment projects

17 Figure 2-9: Surface Waterbodies Water Quality Studies. Orange County is participating in the following efforts to examine emerging water quality issues and environmental concerns for Southern California at the regional scale: Southern California Bight Studies 10 The Bight studies, coordinated by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), utilize standardized sampling and analytical methods to produce a wide range of data from both impacted and reference areas. Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) 11 The goal of the SMC is to develop the technical information necessary to better understand stormwater

18 mechanisms and impacts, and then develop the tools that will effectively and efficiently improve stormwater decision-making. The SMC develops and funds cooperative projects to improve the knowledge of stormwater quality management and reports on the progress of those projects on an annual basis. Orange County Reliability Study (December 2016). Another example of the Region s progressive approach to water management is MWDOC s and the North and Central OC water suppliers ongoing commitment to water supply system reliability, described in Section Orange County Water District (OCWD) Groundwater Management Plan 2015 Update (June 2015). OCWD manages the OC Groundwater Basin for the benefit of the Region s water suppliers. The first Groundwater Management Plan was published in 1989; the 2015 Update is the fifth update. 12 Basin 8-1 Alternative Plan (January 2017). Pursuant to the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) (2014, as amended in 2015) OCWD, City of La Habra and Irvine Ranch Water District completed the Basin 8-1 Alternative. The plan presents an analysis of basin conditions that demonstrates that the Basin has operated within its sustainable yield over a period of at least 10 years. The Basin 8-1 Alternative Plan is included as Appendix B. Orange County Stormwater Resources Plan (OC SWRP). A functionally equivalent plan prepared by OC Environmental Resources to meet the requirements of SB 985 and to provide watershed-based planning for stormwater projects in Orange County. The OC SWRP aligns with The OC Plan in watershed planning, identification and prioritization of projects and establishing watershed-based priorities inclusive of water quality, water supply, natural resources and flood management. The OC SWRP 13 is included as Appendix C. Watershed Infiltration Hydromodification Management Plan (WIHMP) mapping tools. Developed in , the WIHMP provides an initial geographic information systems (GIS) screening tool for infiltration BMP site suitability at a watershed and sub-watershed level. Analysis considered land use, soils, slope, ownership, channel morphology and drainage. 14 Trash Management Plan. The Newport Bay Watershed Draft Trash Management Plan (TMP) Framework 15 was prepared as a planning level document to serve as a model for Information about the Orange County Water Stormwater Resource Plan: 14 WIHMP mapping data available at OC Environmental Resources GIS Portal

19 implementation throughout Orange County. The objective of the TMP Framework is to help MS4s Permittees within the Newport Bay Watershed comply with the State of California s Trash Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California and Part 1 Trash Provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (Trash Amendments) (SWRCB 2015) Social and Culture As of the 2010 census, Orange County is the third-most populous county in California, the sixthmost populous in the United States, and more populous than 21 states. Within the coastal zone, population density far exceeds the nation as a whole, and this trend will continue into the future. Coastal managers are challenged with protecting coastal ecosystems while managing population growth. Orange County is said to have been named for the citrus fruit in an attempt to promote immigration by suggesting a semi-tropical paradise a place where anything could grow. Its county seat is Santa Ana, located in The OC Plan region. The County's four largest cities, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Huntington Beach, are all within The OC Plan region, and each have populations exceeding 200,000. Orange County is part of the Tech Coast 16 - the coastal regions of five counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties. The term Tech Coast is used to emphasize the presence of many information technology companies in this area. The area hosts several important universities, including the University of California, Irvine. The OC Plan region is also well known for tourism with attractions like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and 10 beaches along its miles of coastline within three cities Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach. All this making Orange County s cultural makeup a unique mix of surf and sand lifestyle, mariners, authentic Mexican/Hispanic culture, educational excellence, prominent tourism and a progressive business industry. Human Rights to Water In 2016, the State Water Board adopted a resolution identifying the human right to water as a top priority and core value of the State Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (collectively the Water Boards). The resolution stated the Water Boards will work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California s water resources and drinking water for the

20 protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Water resource management in the IRWM Region considers actions and projects that will meet the human right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water to support basic human needs Economic Conditions Within the Region, there are several areas determined to be a Disadvantaged Community (DAC), which is defined as a community with a median household income (MHI) less than 80 percent of the statewide average 17. Of the approximately million residents in North and Central OC, it is estimated that 13.8 percent 18 of the population live at or below the poverty level. Further, GIS population data from the boundaries shown in Figure 2-10 represents 21 percent (572,485 persons) of the North and Central OC population are considered DACs. There are also Economically Disadvantaged Areas (EDA) that generally include DACs that have a state MHI between 80 and 85 percent of the statewide annual MHI along with other factors such as financial hardship, unemployment and population density. Census tract data was used to help identify DAC areas within the Region. Areas meeting this criterion were found within nearly all cities within the Region. Figure 2-10 shows the areas of disadvantaged communities in the Region Water Supplies Water supplies for The OC Plan region include groundwater, recycled water, and imported water. The Region has major infrastructure systems for groundwater production, drinking water treatment, imported water delivery, wastewater collection and treatment, and recycled water delivery, all of which provide regional benefits. The beneficial uses of surface waters are primarily ecosystem processes and recreation rather than municipal drinking water or industrial uses Groundwater The Coastal Plain of Orange County Groundwater Basin (Basin 8-1) underlies the land area in the Region. The basin is designated as Basin 8-1 in the Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 and is shown in Figure US Census American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Data: (with a median household income of $61,489. DAC are defined as households with less than 80 percent of state annual median household income. 18 See Table

21 Figure 2-10: Disadvantaged Communities Approximately 90 percent of the area within Basin 8-1 is managed by the Orange County Water District. Under SGMA, OCWD is the exclusive local agency within its jurisdictional boundaries with powers to comply with the act. Historically, the approximately 10 percent of the basin outside of the jurisdiction of OCWD has not been formally managed. In 2016, the City of La Habra was established as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the La Habra Basin and is preparing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan, as required by SGMA. The two basins are described below. 2-21

22 Figure 2-11: Basin 8-1 Boundary Orange County Basin. Water produced from the Orange County Basin is the primary water supply for approximately 2.4 million residents living within the service area boundaries. The Orange County Basin, managed by OCWD, contains an estimated 66 MAF when full. OCWD manages the basin within an established operating range of up to 500,000 AF below full condition. This operating range was established to designate the levels of groundwater storage within which the basin that can be maintained without causing adverse impacts. The groundwater basin is not operated on an annual safe-yield basis. The net change in storage in any given year may be positive or negative; however, over a period of several years, the basin is maintained in an approximate balance. 2-22

23 Recharge water sources include water from the Santa Ana River and tributaries, imported water, and recycled water supplied by the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) as well as incidental recharge from precipitation and subsurface inflow. OCWD s conjunctive use program includes over 1,500 acres of land on which there are 1,067 wetted acres of recharge facilities. This network of 25 facilities recharges an average of over 250,000 AFY. Water resource monitoring programs for groundwater, surface water, recycled water, and imported water are summarized in Table 2-1. Table 2-1 OCWD Monitoring Programs for the Orange County Basin Monitoring Program Purpose Groundwater Production Manage basin storage; collect revenues based on production Groundwater Elevation Manage basin storage; prepare groundwater level contour maps; manage seawater intrusion barrier injection rates CA Statewide Groundwater Elevation Compliance with state CASGEM program Monitoring (CASGEM) Program Title 22 Water Quality Program Compliance with CA SWRCB Division of Drinking Water, Title 22 Monitoring for more than 100 regulated and unregulated chemicals at approximately 200 large- and small-system drinking water wells Groundwater Contamination Plumes Monitor location of contamination plumes and levels of contamination to protect drinking water wells and basin water quality Seawater Intrusion Monitor effectiveness of existing seawater intrusion barriers Santa Ana River Monitoring Program Annual review to affirm that OCWD recharge practices are protective of public health Basin Monitoring Program Task Force Annual report prepared to comply with Regional Water Board Basin Plan Santa Ana River Watermaster Determine annual Santa Ana River baseflow and 2-23

24 Table 2-1 OCWD Monitoring Programs for the Orange County Basin Monitoring Program Purpose Monitoring stormflow and TDS at two lotions to comply with the 1969 judgment on Santa Ana River water rights Prado Wetlands Evaluate changes in water quality and effectiveness of wetlands treatment of surface water used for groundwater recharge Emerging Constituents Compliance with federal and state regulations Recycled Water Monitor quality of water production by Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Imported Water Monitor water quality of supply used for groundwater recharge OCWD has projected the future water budget for groundwater recharge and production under average hydrologic conditions, 19 shown in Table 2-2. The future projection accounts for new water supplies, such as increase in availability of recycled water, as an increase in total inflow to the basin. The projected amount of groundwater production is increased resulting in a slight positive change in storage. In the case where one or more of the new water supplies is not available in the future, the amount of groundwater production would be reduced to create a balanced water budget. Flow Component INFLOW Measured Recharge Table 2-2 Orange County Basin Water Budget Future Projection Average Rainfall Acre-Feet Santa Ana River Baseflow 52,000 Santa Ana River Stormflow 52,000 GWRS Recharge in Forebay 104,000 Imported Water (for groundwater recharge) 65,000 Talbert Barrier Injection 30, Basin 8-1 Alternative, Orange County Water District, 1/1/

25 Flow Component Table 2-2 Orange County Basin Water Budget Future Projection Average Rainfall Acre-Feet Alamitos Barrier Injections in OC 2,000 Net Estimated Unmeasured or Incidental Recharge* 62,000 OUTFLOW TOTAL INFLOW 336,000 Groundwater Production 320,000 TOTAL OUTFLOW 320,000 CHANGE IN STORAGE +16,000 *Subsurface outflow is included within net unmeasured recharge La Habra Basin. The La Habra Basin is located north of the Orange County Basin within the cities of La Habra and Brea. It comprises a shallow alluvial depression between the Coyote Hills and the Puente Hills. Prior to the 1950s, hundreds of wells produced water for domestic use and irrigation. The majority of these wells were abandoned due to high concentrations of nitrate, total dissolved solids, and metals and taste and odor problems. However, in recent years, the City of La Habra has explored options to increase groundwater production from this subbasin. Pursuant to SGMA, the City of La Habra, under a memorandum of agreement with the City of Brea, has been established as the GSA for the La Habra Groundwater Basin. The La Habra City Council also approved Ordinance No to prohibit the extraction and exportation of groundwater underlying La Habra for use outside of the city. The ordinance was codified in the La Habra Municipal Code as Chapter 13.31, Groundwater Extraction and Exportation, and took effect on February 18, To prepare for a groundwater sustainability plan, pursuant to SGMA, the La Habra GSA shall consider the interests and work cooperatively with all beneficial uses and users of groundwater, as wells as those responsible for implementing groundwater sustainability plans. A list of interested parties was developed for this purpose and will continue to consult and coordinate with these interested parties throughout the process to develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plan. 2-25

26 The La Habra Basin is not adjudicated. Instead, La Habra follows a safe yield which is used for the management and future planning of the La Habra Basin for sustained beneficial use. The safe yield is the volume of groundwater that can be pumped without depleting the aquifer to a point where it cannot recover through natural recharge over a reasonable period of time. The safe yield for the La Habra Basin was estimated to be approximately 4,500 AFY. This safe yield was determined through an average from two separate studies that considered natural groundwater recharge and natural groundwater discharge (La Habra, Groundwater Study, August 2014). The City of La Habra has been producing groundwater since the late 1990s and monitoring non-pumping and pumping groundwater elevations since Previous investigations into groundwater levels and the safe yield have been used to manage the La Habra Groundwater Basin for over 10 years. According to the DWR Bulletin 45 (1934), the storage capacity of the historical La Habra Basin is approximately 153,000 AF. Approximately 57 percent of the historical La Habra Basin is in the eastern portion of the basin which is now designated within Basin 8-1. The Cities of La Habra and Brea overlie approximately 60 percent of the eastern portion of the historical La Habra Basin (Stetson, 2014). Accordingly, the storage capacity of the current La Habra Basin is approximately 55,000 AF. Groundwater within the La Habra Groundwater Basin generally flows from the Puente Hills in a south or southwesterly direction. Subsurface flow out of the basin occurs near Coyote and La Mirada Creeks into the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles and at the gap between the East and West Coyote Hills into the Coastal Plain of Orange County (Stetson, 2014). Since the City of La Habra currently depends on local groundwater to meet approximately 40 percent of its water consumption and the City of Brea uses groundwater to meet irrigation needs, preserving the sustainability of the La Habra Basin is essential for the well-being of the two cities. Currently (and historically), the City of La Habra manages (and has managed) the La Habra Basin through management plans and programs for groundwater levels, basin storage, water quality, groundwater export prohibition, and groundwater-surface water interactions. By January 2020, the La Habra GSA will manage the La Habra-Brea Management Area, shown in Figure 2-12, through its GSP, which will describe the City s monitoring program and ensure that no undesirable results occur in the future. As a key component of sustainable management, the cities of La Habra and Brea strongly promote conservation to preserve water supplies. Both cities have sections on their websites dedicated to water conservation in addition to including conservation guidance in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports distributed to residents. The La Habra-Brea Basin is 2-26

27 currently monitored for groundwater elevations and for groundwater quality through productions wells and historical data Imported Water Figure 2-12: Basin 8-1 Management Areas The OC Plan supports the development and implementation ofprojects and programs to build diverse water supplies. Imported water is an important water supply to meet the water demands of the growing population of the Region. In the Region, imported water supply accounts for approximately 25 percent of the potable water supply, and is obtained through the regional wholesale agencies. The local water supply is more critical in that it provides approximately 75 percent of the local potable supply improving overall water supply. 2-27

28 Changes in population, economic conditions, and hydrologic conditions all influence water demand in the Region. Furthermore, the rapidly expanding housing base, increasing population and business growth potential which will dictate future water needs. Imported water is delivered through Metropolitan from the State Water Project (SWP/Bay Delta) and the Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA) to its member agencies. In the Region, the member agencies are MWDOC, and the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Santa Ana. Treated imported water is received into Orange County from the Diemer Filtration Plant. As shown in Figure 2-13, this system is shared regionally with other water agencies in South OC. Untreated water is also delivered from the Metropolitan system. Within the Region, untreated imported water is used primarily for groundwater recharge. Agricultural demands within the North and Central OC WMAs are declining as development occurs, and landscape irrigation demands will be partially met by an increased supply of recycled water. IRWD s Irvine Lake Pipeline conveys Metropolitan untreated water and local runoff from Irvine Lake to the Rattlesnake Reservoir. Connections along the Irvine Lake Pipeline serve the Irvine Company agricultural irrigation systems and the IRWD recycled water distribution system. The Baker Aqueduct also delivers Metropolitan untreated water to Central and South OC. Use of the Baker Pipeline has declined because of the use of Allen McColloch Pipeline (AMP) and the decline in area agriculture. As the principal importer of water in Southern California, Metropolitan s primary goal is to provide reliable water supplies to meet the water needs of its service area at the lowest possible cost. As existing imported water supplies from the Colorado River and Bay Delta face increasing challenges, the reliability of deliveries from these sources continues to decline. To address these challenges, Metropolitan and its member agencies developed an IRP in The outcome was a Preferred Resource Mix which would ensure Metropolitan and its member agencies would meet their full-service retail demands without interruption through the year Metropolitan s IRP has helped maintain a reliable water supply for all of Southern California by anticipating needs and providing additional water resources to address changing conditions. Imported sources will remain important baseline supplies but conservation and new local supplies, such as water recycling and ocean desalination, will provide water for growing needs. Through regional planning, education and diversification, Metropolitan and its member agencies plan to continue to provide reliable service of imported water. 2-28

29 Figure 2-13: Major Water Systems Infrastructure Metropolitan s IRP report is updated approximately every five years. The IRP was updated in 2010 and The 2015 IRP updated the total level of average-year supply targeted, considering conservation. This IRP highlighted goals to achieve additional conservation savings, develop additional local water supplies (target total 2.4 MAF by 2040), maintain Colorado River Aqueduct supplies (ensure a minimum of 900,000 AF is available when needed), stabilize SWP supplies and to maximize the effectiveness of storage and transfer. The 2010 and 2015 IRP were both approved and are available Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Integrated Water Resources Plan 2015 Update, Update 8/23/

30 Additionally, IRWD s Stand Ranch Integrated Water Banking Project augments imported water by capturing low-cost water for underground storage during wet periods and recovering this water for later use and importation into the IRWD service area during dry periods or emergencies. IRWD entered into a 30-year water banking partnership with Rosedale-Rio Bravo Storage District in Kern County. IRWD can store up to 50,000 AF in the water bank and may recover up to approximately 17,500 AF in any single year. IRWD is also pursuing various additional sources of water supply for the water bank such as diverting a portion of floodwater flows in the Kern River into IRWD recharge ponds, and other agreements to provide for storage of water with other water districts in Central California Recycled Water The IRWM Region has a limited amount of directly delivered recycled water to meet nonpotable uses with most of the recycled water produced used for groundwater recharge. Recycled water in the Region is produced by OCWD from treated wastewater acquired from OCSD. Figure 2-14 shows the Region s wastewater boundaries and transmission lines. Groundwater Replenishment System. After wastewater is treated at the OCSD, it flows to the GWRS where it undergoes a state-of-the-art purification process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The product water is near-distilled-quality. Approximately 35 million gallons per day (MGD) of GWRS water are pumped into injection wells as the primary source of water for the Talbert Seawater Barrier. Another 65 MGD are pumped to OCWD's percolation basins Kraemer, La Palma, Miller, and Miraloma located in Anaheim where the GWRS water naturally filters through sand and gravel to the deep aquifers of the groundwater basin to increase the local drinking water supply. About 30 percent of the water that refills the basin comes from the GWRS. Operational since January 2008, the GWRS is a state-of-the-art water purification project that can produce up to 100 million gallons of highly-treated, high-quality recycled water every day. This is enough water to meet the needs of nearly 850,000 residents in North and Central OC. The GWRS is a joint project of OCWD and OCSD. These two public agencies have worked together for more than 40 years, leading the way in water recycling and providing a locally-controlled, drought-proof and reliable supply of high-quality water in an environmentally sensitive and economical manner. 2-30

31 Figure 2-14: Wastewater Boundaries and Transmission Lines The cooperation between OCWD and OCSD was essential in designing and building the GWRS, which ensures North and Central OC water supplies remain reliable and safe. The GWRS was built to allow for two expansions. The first, completed in 2015, expanded the project from 70 mgd to 100 mgd (307 AF). Construction of the GWRS Final Expansion begins in 2019 and will be completed by Once complete, the GWRS will produce an additional 30 MGD of drought-proof water to replenish the Orange County Groundwater Basin. The expansion will bring total GWRS production to 130 MGD; enough water for 1 million people. GWRS Project Benefits: Decreases Southern California's dependency on imported water from the Sacramento- San Joaquin River Delta and the Colorado River. Creates a locally-controlled, reliable supply of high-quality water that is drought-resilient. 2-31

32 Provides Orange County communities added assurance of sufficient water supplies to support economic vitality. Produces high-quality water to replenish the groundwater basin. Protects Orange County's groundwater basin from seawater intrusion. Serves as a blueprint for water agencies throughout the world to help solve their local water supply issues. Protects the environment by reusing a precious resource. Reduces the amount of wastewater discharged to the Pacific Ocean. Uses less than half the energy required to transport water from Northern to Southern California. Uses one-third the energy required to desalinate seawater. Demonstrates a successful partnership between public agencies. Created thousands of jobs from development, construction and operation of the GWRS. Postpones, possibly indefinitely, the need for OCSD to construct a second ocean outfall. Designed to be expanded to increase production capacity to help meet future water needs. Improves groundwater quality by reducing the amount of dissolved solids (salt) in the groundwater basin. Produces water at a unit cost with and without subsidies--each less than the cost of imported water. Produces water that meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. Green Acres Project. OCWD also operates the Green Acres Project, a non-potable recycled water supply project that utilizes a dedicated set of pipelines to deliver irrigation and industrial water to users. Most of the recycled water is used on golf courses, greenbelts, cemeteries, and nurseries. The Green Acres Project, in operation since 1991, reduces demands on the Orange County Basin by providing non-potable water for non-potable uses. Secondary wastewater effluent from OCSD is filtered and disinfected with chlorine to produce approximately seven mgd of irrigation and industrial water. A portion of Green Acres Project water is also supplied by Irvine Ranch Water District. The average amount of water supplied through the Green Acres Project system is 7,300 AFY. Areas supplied by the recycled water include the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana. IRWD Recycled Water Program. IRWD has an extensive dual distribution system, which delivers recycled water from its two recycling treatment plants, the Michelson Water Recycling Plant (MWRP) and the Los Alisos Water Recycling Plant (LAWRP). Treated effluent produced at both plants meets the water quality standards set forth in the California Administrative Code, Title 22, Division 4 for use as recycled water. 2-32

33 The MWRP produces high-quality recycled water that earned IRWD the first unrestricted use permit issued in the state, allowing recycled water to be used for virtually everything but drinking. The permitted tertiary treatment capacity of the MWRP is currently 28.0 MGD. A biosolids digester facility is being constructed at MWRP that will allow IRWD to digest and dehydrate sludge which will then be converted to pelletized fertilizer. The LAWRP, located in Lake Forest, has a tertiary treatment capacity of 5.5 MGD. Secondary effluent from the treatment plant is pumped to either the tertiary treatment facility where it is treated for reuse in IRWD s Lake Forest area recycled water distribution system or, if demands are low, to the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) pumping station which directs its flows to the SOCWA effluent transmission mains and subsequent ocean outfall. IRWD has invested in 15 seasonal storage reservoirs with capacity of 4,536 AF to store excess recycled water during the winter months when irrigation demands are lower for use in the peak summer months. IRWD may also sell excess recycled water from MWRP to the OCWD Green Acres Project from October through March, and provide excess recycled water from LAWRP to neighboring Santa Margarita Water District on an as-needed and as-available basis. IRWD also supplements its recycled water system with non-potable groundwater. IRWD supplies recycled water through over 500 miles of distribution pipeline, to support over 5,400 recycled water customers that currently use approximately 30,000 AFY of recycled water Projected Water Supplies The OC Plan Region relies on two distinct water supply sources: 1) Local water supply; and 2) imported water supply, which supplements and improves the Region s water resources and system reliability. The imported water supply is obtained through Metropolitan member agencies in the Region. The local water supply is critical in developing and maintaining a high-quality supply to preserve overall water supply reliability, as well as maintaining and protecting the area s ecological functions dependent on the availability of high quality surface water and groundwater. Table 2-3 shows the target levels of new supply to be developed within the Region between 2015 and 2040 in AFY. 2-33

34 Table 2-3 North and Central OC Targeted New Water Supplies Local Supply FY 2015 Actual (AFY) Projection 2040 (AFY) Low Increase (AFY) Water Use Efficiency with New Conservation Efforts (1) 480, ,516 w/o additional conservation 453,465 with additional conservation 26,051 Recycling (2) 100, ,000 34,000 Non-Potable Recycled Water 22,000 27,700 5,700 Total 602, ,516/614,465 65,751 WUE is actually a demand reduction; however, is presented as a supply in this comparison. Estimate by MWDOC based on SBx 7-7 compliance by 2020 and projection to OC Reliability Study Tables 4 and 7. Recycled wastewater less lower local runoff and groundwater (increase due to expansion of the GWRS). Direct use water supply sources are imported water, groundwater, and recycled water. Existing and projected non-imported (local) potable supply source quantities for each water supplier in North and Central OC water agency are listed in Table 2-4. Recycled (non-potable) water supply projections are shown in Table 2-5. Table 2-4 North and Central OC Local (Non-Imported) Potable Water Supply by Water Agency Water Agency Local Potable Water Supply Projections (AFY) Anaheim 46,937 44,554 43,435 46,626 46,946 46,933 47,000 Brea Buena Park 9,809 9,242 9,889 11,087 11,162 11,160 11,175 East Orange County WD Fountain Valley 6,802 6,090 6,274 6,759 6,750 6,750 6,750 Fullerton 18,946 18, ,689 20,063 20,201 20,195 20,224 Garden Grove 17,408 19,430 19,430 20,200 20,400 20,600 20,

35 Table 2-4 North and Central OC Local (Non-Imported) Potable Water Supply by Water Agency Water Agency Local Potable Water Supply Projections (AFY) 1 Golden State West Orange ,324 14, ,798 14,967 15,138 15,309 15,481 Huntington Beach 20,059 19,568 19,961 21,006 21,111 21,217 21,429 IRWD 49,596 49,217 52,815 65,168 65,168 65,168 65,168 La Habra 3,630 4,200 4,200 4,200 4,200 4,200 4,200 La Palma 1,401 1,465 1,489 1,640 1,651 1,650 1,653 Mesa WD 16,844 19,444 19,444 19,510 19,576 19,642 19,709 Newport Beach 11,203 10,875 11,195 12,209 12,284 12,269 12,276 Orange County WD Orange 20,372 21,077 22,200 23,325 23,325 23,325 23,325 Santa Ana 26,351 29,520 29,520 27,802 27,992 27,985 28,025 Seal Beach 2,734 3,041 3,329 3,350 3,370 3,380 3,400 Serrano WD 1,757 2,100 2,200 2,200 2,200 2,200 2,200 Tustin 8,200 10,530 10,745 11,534 11,613 11,610 11,626 Westminster 8,371 8,665 8,840 9,288 9,752 10,240 10,752 Yorba Linda WD 14,181 12,215 14,660 15,760 15,870 15,880 15,890 Total 297, , , , , , ,169 Source: MWDOC Agency Projections, October Does not include a portion of IRWD that lies within RWQCB - Region 9 area. 2 Data not provided by water agency; estimate based on straight line calculation from year to Table 2-5 North and Central OC Local Non-Potable (Recycled) Supply Projections Water Agency Local Non-Potable Water Supply Projections (AFY) Anaheim Brea

36 Table 2-5 North and Central OC Local Non-Potable (Recycled) Supply Projections Water Agency Local Non-Potable Water Supply Projections (AFY) Buena Park East Orange CWD Fountain Valley 1,355 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 Fullerton Garden Grove Golden State West Orange Huntington Beach IRWD 22,866 18,657 18,657 28,757 28,757 28,757 28,757 La Habra La Palma Mesa WD 1,158 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 Newport OCWD 103, , , , , , ,000 Orange Santa Ana Seal Beach Serrano WD Tustin Source: MWDOC Agency Projections, October 2017 Total 129, , , , , , , Potential New or Expanded Water Supplies Regional Recycled Water Program. Metropolitan is considering a project to increase production and use of recycled water. Planning for this local water sustainability project, Regional Recycled Water Program, began in September The Regional Recycled Water

37 Program, a partnership with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, will purify treated wastewater through various advanced processes to produce a safe, high-quality water source that could help replenish groundwater basins in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The program will start with a demonstration facility and could eventually become one of the largest advanced water treatment plants in the world. The 500,000-gallon-per-day demonstration facility will take about a year to build and then operate for at least a year to produce data for a potential full-scale plant. While the facility s treatment processes are proven, Metropolitan also will test the innovative use of membrane bioreactors to significantly increase efficiency in water recycling. The demonstration plant will help refine the treatment process and assist in securing regulatory approval for a full-scale plant. Under a full-scale program, the purified water would be pumped from Carson through a new pipeline network to four groundwater basins in Los Angeles and Orange counties, allowing for additional percolation into the ground and aquifer storage. Those basins, including the Orange County Groundwater Basin, provide water for 7.2 million people and are currently recharged with imported water, rain and, in some cases, recycled water. The full-scale program, as envisioned, would produce up to 150 million gallons of purified water per day, enough water to serve more than 335,000 homes. The facility s estimated cost to build and operate would result in a water cost comparable to other new local supplies. Ocean Desalinated Water. In 2000, Metropolitan developed a Seawater Desalination Program (SDP) to provide incentives for developing new seawater desalination projects in Metropolitan s service area. In 2014, Metropolitan modified the provisions of their Local Resources Program (LRP) to include incentives for locally produced seawater desalination projects that reduce the need for imported supplies. To qualify for the incentive, proposed projects must replace an existing demand or prevent new demand on Metropolitan s imported water supplies. In return, Metropolitan offers three financial incentive formulas under the program. Developing local supplies, including ocean desalination, is part of Metropolitan s Integrated Water Resource Plan (IRP) goal of improving water supply reliability in the Region and reducing pressure on imported supplies from the SWP and Colorado River. On May 6, 2015, the SWRCB approved an amendment to the state s Water Quality Control Plan for the Ocean Waters of California (California Ocean Plan) to address effects associated with the construction and operation of seawater desalination facilities (Desalination Amendment). The amendment supports the use of ocean water as a reliable supplement to traditional water supplies while protecting marine life and water quality. The California Ocean Plan now formally acknowledges seawater desalination as a beneficial use of the 2-37

38 Pacific Ocean and the Desalination Amendment provides a uniform, consistent process for permitting seawater desalination facilities statewide. One such proposed seawater desalination project in the North and Central OC region is the Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Project, being developed by Poseidon Resources LLC (Poseidon), a private company, that would be co-located at the AES Power Plant in the City of Huntington Beach along Pacific Coast Highway and Newland Street. The proposed project would produce up to 50 MGD (56,000 AFY) of drinking water to provide approximately 10 percent of Orange County s water supply needs. 22 To date, the Facility has not been built. On August 28, 2017, the Santa Ana Regional Board confirmed a complete application for a Water Code section (b) determination (feasibility of site, design, technology and mitigation measures considered independently and then collectively) and Report of Waste Discharge (ROWD) for renewal/reissuance of the NPDES Permit for the proposed desalination project. The State Lands Commission certified the desalination project s Supplemental Environmental Impact Report in October The Santa Ana Regional Board will next focus on the adequacy of analysis and studies submitted as part of the determination application and ROWD through the State Water Board s neutral thirdparty peer review process Projected Water Demands Water demand projections for the Region are an outcome of a combination of sources of information including the Orange County Reliability Study, water supplier 2015 Urban Water Management Plans (UWMP), the OCWD Groundwater Basin Management Plan 2015 Update, and the Basin 8-1 Alternative, and the 2017 MWDOC annual survey of its member agencies. The OC Reliability Study (December 2016), led by MWDOC, 24 was prepared to comprehensively evaluate current and future water supply and system reliability for Orange County. Water demands and supplies were evaluated for current and future conditions with a planning horizon from 2015 to 2040 using a simulation model developed for the study. The OC Reliability Study showed demand projections divided into three regions within Orange County: Brea/La Habra, Orange County Groundwater Basin, and South County. The Brea/La Habra and OC Groundwater Basin regions are representative of the North and Central OC IRWM region Urban Water Management Plan, Section 7.4.2, MWDOC, June issues/programs/peer review/ %20FINAL%20Low%20Resolution.pdf 2-38

39 The OC Reliability Study demand projections were obtained based on multiplying a unit water use factor and a demographic factor for three water use sectors, including singlefamily and multi-family residential (in gallons per day per household), and non-residential (in gallons per day per employee). The unit water use factors were based on a survey of Orange County water agencies (FY ) and represent a normal weather, normal economy, and non-drought condition. Additionally, MWDOC worked with OCWD to determine groundwater replenishment and seawater barrier demands. MWDOC also worked with Center for Demographic Research at California State University of Fullerton to obtain projections on employment and economic growth in the MWDOC service area, which was considered when developing the demand projections. Also included were the effects of water conservation on demand projections. Three demand trajectories were developed representing three levels of conservation: 1) continued with existing levels of conservation as of (lowest conservation), 2) addition of future passive measures and active measures (baseline conservation), and 3) aggressive turf removal program - 20 percent removal by 2040 (aggressive conservation). The second level of conservation, i.e. baseline demand projection, was selected for the MWDOC 2015 UWMP. The baseline scenario assumes the implementation of future passive measures affecting new developments, including the Model Water Efficient Landscape, plumbing code efficiencies for toilets, and expected plumbing code for high-efficiency clothes washers. It also assumes the implementation of future active measures, assuming the implementation of Metropolitan incentive programs at historical annual levels seen in Orange County. The OC Reliability Study also considered the drought impacts on demands by applying the assumption that water demands will bounce back to 85 percent of 2014 levels i.e. predrought levels by 2020 and 90 percent by 2025, and continue at 90 percent of unit water use through The unit water use factor multiplied by a demographic factor yields demand projections without new conservation beyond To account for new conservation, projected savings from new passive and active conservation were subtracted from these demands. Making the necessary investments to provide an adequate water supply to meet demand remains a critical requirement for The OC Plan region. Population, economic conditions, and hydrologic conditions influence water demand in the Region. Successful water use efficiency and conservation efforts have and are expected to continue to abate the growth rate of water demand. Groundwater will continue to be principal source of supply in the Region, with continuing efforts to develop maximize alternative local sources to minimize dependency on imported water. Considering water demand projections modeled in the studies and plans discussed above, Table 2-6 shows water demand forecasts 2-39

40 for North and Central OC for the 20-year planning horizon. The forecasts include new passive and active water conservation and assume normal economy and average weather conditions. Projected water demands will increase from approximately 393,539 AFY in 2015 (under demand suppressed conditions) to 453,465 AFY in 2040 with anticipated conservation. Based on the statistical model developed in the OC Study, a significant downturn in local economy could reduce average demands by about 13 percent, while hot/dry weather could increase average demands by as much as 6 to 9 percent. 25 Table 2-6 North and Central OC WMA Water Demand Projections by Basin Region Basin Region Water Demand Forecast with Conservation Measures (AFY) OC Basin 372, , , , , ,854 La Habra/Brea Basin 20,953 18,429 19,598 19,626 19,663 19,611 Total North and Central OC Region 393, , , , , ,465 Source: OC Reliability Study, MWDOC, December 2016, Tables 1 and 2, and Appendix B, Table 4 for La Habra/Brea 2015 demand Since North and Central OC imports a significant amount of its water from outside of the Region, there is concern about either planned or emergency outages of the import system that could be caused by natural or man-made events resulting in a disruption of water supply. Supply concerns could be caused specifically by: Planned shutdowns for imported delivery and treatment system maintenance and upgrades; Emergency shutdowns or outages of facilities such as Metropolitan s Diemer Water Filtration Plant or major supply pipelines; Prolonged droughts on the SWP and/or CRA imported water systems; or Delays in the development of other planned local water projects. A goal of The OC Plan is for all North and Central OC agencies to work together to make the necessary investments to mitigate or minimize impacts from these types of events. Implementation of WUE programs and development of local supply sources, regional interconnections and other infrastructure will help to protect the Region s system. Water 25 Detail on demand forecasts are included in Appendix B and Appendix G of the Orange County Reliability Study, MWDOC, December

41 transfers from outside of the WMAs will also be beneficial to add a layer of insurance with respect to future droughts on the SWP or CRA systems. Metropolitan and MWDOC have both developed complementary strategies to help insure the continued delivery of high-quality imported water supplies. Water remains a valuable resource and it is imperative that Southern California continues to develop and implement alternative strategies to meet the demands of a growing population. The OC Plan is consistent with the strategies of these regional water agencies, and like them, emphasizes a diversification of supplies. WUE practices focus on the five BMPs for urban WUE in California and include Utility Operations (Conservation Coordinator, Water Loss Control, Metering With Commodity Rates, and Retail Conservation Pricing), Education Programs (Public Information and School Education), Residential (home water surveys, low-flow showerhead and toilet retrofits), Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (Technical Assistance and Incentives, Landscape Irrigation Budgets and Incentives). These BMPs offer cost-effective opportunities to moderate the amount of imported and local water supplies required by municipal and industrial users. These programs are offered both regionally by MWDOC and Metropolitan and locally by individual retail water agencies. Water recycling already occurs at a significant level in the Region, but efforts can be extended to satisfy additional needs, particularly non-domestic demands for irrigation uses. Local recycling systems require upgrades and expansions to continue to maximize and increase supplies. Groundwater replenishment is a significant program in the Region. Stormwater and dry-weather runoff capture for irrigation is also being incorporated into the overall water supply portfolio that also includes ecosystem, surface and ocean water quality benefits. Surface water capture and treatment for potable and non-potable supply and improved riparian habitats is also considered a minimal aspect of local water supply, and efforts to improve surface water quality are progressing through the use of BMPs Water Related Objectives and Conflicts Water Supply Diversification Reducing Dependence on Delta Supply. Complementary strategies have been developed by Metropolitan and MWDOC the regional water wholesalers to provide incentives for the development of local resources and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality supplemental imported water. Water remains a valuable resource, and it is imperative that Southern California continues to develop and implement alternative strategies to meet the demands of a growing population. The IRWM Plan is consistent with the strategies of these regional water agencies, emphasizing a diversification of supplies. Diversification of 2-41

42 supplies serves two significant goals: improvement in water supply reliability and reduction in the Region s reliance on the water from the Bay-Delta. Water use efficiency practices focus on the California Water Efficiency Partnership s (CalWEP), formerly California Urban Water Conservation Council, five BMPs and supporting sub-bmps 26 for promoting the conservation and efficiency of urban water use in California. The five major BMPs include BMP 1: Utility Operations, BMP 2: Public Education and School Education, BMP 3: Residential Programs, BMP 4: Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Programs, and BMP 5: Landscape Programs. These BMPs may be cost-effective opportunities to moderate the amount of imported and local water supplies required by municipal and industrial users. Some of the programs under these BMPs are offered both regionally by MWDOC and locally by individual water agencies. Water recycling already occurs at a significant level in the Region, but efforts can be extended to satisfy additional needs, particularly nondomestic demands for irrigation uses. Local water recycling systems require upgrades and expansions to continue to maximize and increase supplies. Surface water capture and treatment for non-potable supply, groundwater basin recharge, and improved riparian habitats are also considered a critical aspect of local water supply, and efforts to improve surface water quality are progressing by means of the implementation of the TMDLs and the use of BMPs. Groundwater is the primary local water source for satisfying the demand for potable water. Maximizing the benefit of this water resource requires treatment for nitrates, TDS, toxic plumes, and colored water. In the historical Swamp of the Frogs area, significant amount of shallow groundwater seeps into local storm drains and channels through cracks, weep holes, and unlined sections of channels. At multiple locations, shallow groundwater must be pumped continuously to maintain structural integrity of foundations of several road undercrossings. These groundwater-related discharges have elevated selenium and nitrate but are otherwise of good quality. They can potentially be collected and used to supplement the local water supply. Maximizing the benefit of this water resource requires recurrent water quality monitoring and remediation of poor quality water and contamination when necessary The CalWEP Bylaws amendments adopted by members in December 2016 changed the Council s principal purpose from MOU implementation (and by extension BMP adoption) to other activities that promote conservation and efficiency. The Partnership is no longer developing new BMPs or amending existing ones. The existing BMPs are the Council s legacy to utilities that are just starting water conservation and efficiency programs, or that need to ramp programs up quickly. 2-42

43 Water Resource Management Challenges. As is the case with much of Southern California, the North and South OC region faces many water resources management challenges. Among these are the following: Adequate, reliable water supply: Although the Region has significant groundwater resources it still receives approximately one-third of its water from imported sources. Environmental constraints such as drought, impacts from the Delta and greenhouse gas emissions related to transferring imported water are affecting the reliability of imported water supply. Existing sources of imported water are facing many challenges and so an objective for the Region includes identification of water use efficiency strategies. Growth, economic sustainability, recreation: The Region is continually growing which means that there is a greater demand for potable water, a greater amount of wastewater generated, and more need for recreational resources. Economic stability relies on implementing cost effective solutions to these growth-related issues. Land use decisions play a key role in developing a sustainable region. Water quality standards: Water quality standards for urban runoff that stem from the Clean Water Act are becoming increasingly stringent. Local agencies in the Region are challenged to meet the regulatory water quality standards in a cost-effective manner to maintain lasting results. Ecosystem impacts: Urbanization is often accompanied by stormwater and polluted urban runoff, wastewater spills, invasive species and erosion. All of which impacts ecosystems in the Region. Functioning ecosystems offer a wide range of benefits for water supply, water quality and habitat and therefore should be rehabilitated and preserved for the future. Habitat: Habitat areas in the Region include the following; Bolsa Chica wetlands, Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, Coyote Creek, Carbon Creek, Brea Creek, Fullerton Creek, Huntington Beach State Park, Newport Bay, and wetlands, associated beach and coastal shoreline habitat, Orange Coast River Park, an approximately 1,000-acre preserve at the mouth of the Santa Ana River, Santiago Creek parks, and the Santa Ana River mainstem. Aging Infrastructure: Outdated and deteriorating wastewater and water conveyance systems can cause leaks, sewage spills and have inadequate capacity to handle increased flows resulting in impacts to surface, groundwater and ocean water quality. Multipurpose projects that include the rehabilitation of water and wastewater infrastructure are important for improving water quality standards. Climate change: Climate change will influence water resources, water supply availability for human and habitat need particularly. Addressing these issues now will help the Region prepare for current and future impacts. 2-43

44 2.2 Water Quality Water Quality Regulations. Water quality regulations, adopted based on underlying Federal and State Laws, exist for potable water supply (drinking water), surface and groundwater receiving waters, and recycled water used for a variety of purposes. Ensuring that these waters meet the adopted regulatory standards allows for a healthy environment and protects public health. Regulations are created to protect and improve these water bodies, and understanding these regulations and meeting them is critical for creating an IRWM projects that improve water quality for the Region. Drinking Water Regulations. The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) provides the basis for national and state regulations governing the supply of safe drinking water. The SDWA formed the basis for the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This act gives authority to the SWRCB Division of Drinking Water to protect the public from any contaminant that could adversely affect public health in the public water system. The SWRCB Division of Drinking Water maintains a list of water contaminants and establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCL). This list includes all federal MCLs and each MCL must be equal to or more stringent than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MCLs. Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations defines drinking water MCLs and treatment requirements for potable water, groundwater recharge, and recycled water. Surface Water Quality Regulations. The regulatory basis for protection of all inland surface waters, estuaries, and coastal waters in the United States is governed by the Clean Water Act (CWA), which is comprised of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1948) and its amendments of 1972, 1977, 1981, and In California, the primary statute governing water quality is the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne Act) (Water Quality, Division 7 of the California Water Code, as amended to Statutes 2016), which grants broad powers to protect water quality to the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and nine California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards). Through this, the State Board and Regional Boards have the authority to adopt plans and policies to regulate discharges to surface and groundwater (which is not covered under the CWA), to regulate waste disposal sites, and to require cleanup of discharges of hazardous materials and other pollutants. The governing Regional Board for the 2-44

45 North OC WMA and the Central OC WMA is the Santa Ana Regional Board, as shown in Figure The Porter-Cologne Act requires: Figure 2-15: Regional Water Quality Control Boards 1) The State Board adopt and implement and Ocean Plan and an Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Policy to protect human health and marine species in ocean and coastal waters, such as Huntington Harbour; and 2) Regional Boards adopt and regularly update a Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) to protect inland freshwaters and estuaries, such as Coyote Creek and the Santa Ana River. The primary methods of enforcing these regulations are through the issuance of NPDES Permits and Waste Discharge Requirements. 2-45

46 MUN AGR IND PROC GWR NAV POW REC-1 REC-2 COMM WARM LWRM COLD BIOL WILD RARE SPWN MAR SHEL EST The OC PLAN NPDES Permits and Waste Discharge Requirements. In California, the Regional Boards have the responsibility of controlling discharges from point sources through the issuance of NPDES permits. These permits regulate discharges of both wastewater and urban runoff to surface water bodies for municipal and industrial wastewater and stormwater runoff from MS4 systems, industrial and construction sites. Permit requirements are based on technology based limits for wastewater and maximum extent practicable standard for stormwater intended to meet water quality standards. The fourth term permit was issued by the Santa Ana Regional Board on May 22, 2009 for the County of Orange, OCFCD and 25 incorporated cities, which includes all the cities (referred to as the permittees) in the Region. Local Surface Water Quality. Surface water capture and treatment for non-potable supply, groundwater basin recharge, and improved riparian habitats are also considered a critical aspect of local water supply, and efforts to improve surface water quality are progressing by means of the implementation of the TMDLs and the use of BMPs. Beneficial uses of surface water are identified for every water body in the United States, as required by the federal Clean Water Act of 1972 and serve as the basis for determining how clean is clean enough, for water pollution management. If a water body s beneficial uses are impaired, then the water body is listed as impaired per Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, and that impairment requires restoration measures. Table 2-7 shows the beneficial uses associated with each water body in the North and Central OC WMA, and these uses are defined in Table 2-8. Lakes Lower Santa Ana River Basin Table 2-7 Beneficial Uses of Water Bodies in North and Central OC WMA Hydro -logic Unit La Habra X X Santiago X X X Orange X X X X Irvine X X X X Bays, Estuaries, and Tidal Prisms Los Cerritos Wetlands + X X X X X X X Anaheim Bay - Outer Bay + X X X X X X X X Anaheim Bay Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge + X X X X X X X X X

47 MUN AGR IND PROC GWR NAV POW REC-1 REC-2 COMM WARM LWRM COLD BIOL WILD RARE SPWN MAR SHEL EST The OC PLAN Table 2-7 Beneficial Uses of Water Bodies in North and Central OC WMA Hydro -logic Unit Sunset Bay Huntington Harbor + X X X X X X X X Bolsa Bay + X X X X X X X X Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve + X X X X X X X X X Lower Newport Bay + X X X X X X X X X Upper Newport Bay + X X X X X X X X X X Santa Ana River Salt Marsh + X X X X X X X Huntington Beach Wetlands + X X X X X X X Tidal Prism of Santa Ana River and Newport Slough Tidal Prism of San Gabriel River River Mouth to Marina Drive Tidal Prism of Santa Ana-Delhi Channel Bicycle Bridge at University Dr. at Upper Newport Bay to 1036 ft. upstream Tidal Prisms of Greenville Banning Channel Santa Ana River Confluence to Inflatable Dam^ Tidal Prisms of flood control channels discharging to coastal or bay waters Ocean Waters SWQPA (former ASBS) + X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X u X X X X u X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Newport Bay X X X X X Inland Surface Streams Lower Santa Ana River Basin Santa Ana River 2-47

48 MUN AGR IND PROC GWR NAV POW REC-1 REC-2 COMM WARM LWRM COLD BIOL WILD RARE SPWN MAR SHEL EST The OC PLAN Table 2-7 Beneficial Uses of Water Bodies in North and Central OC WMA Hydro -logic Unit Reach 1 Tidal Prism to 17 th Street in Santa + X 2 X Ana Reach 2 17 Street in Santa Ana to Prado + X X X X X X X Dam Aliso Creek X X X X X X X Carbon Canyon Creek X X X X X X X Santiago Creek Reach 1 below Irvine Lake X X X 2 X X X Reach 2 Irvine Lake Reach 3 Irvine Lake to Modjeska Canyon Reach 4 in Modjeska Canyon X X X X X X Silverado Creek X X X X X X Black Star Ladd Creek San Diego Creek Reach 1 below Jeffrey Road + X 2 X X X Reach 2 above Jeffrey Road to headwaters Other tributaries: Bonita Creek, Serrano Creek, Peters Canyon Wash, Hicks Canyon Wash, Bee Canyon Wash, Borrego Canyon Wash, Agua Chinon Wash, Laguna Canyon Wash, Rattlesnake Canyon Wash, and other 2-48

49 MUN AGR IND PROC GWR NAV POW REC-1 REC-2 COMM WARM LWRM COLD BIOL WILD RARE SPWN MAR SHEL EST The OC PLAN Table 2-7 Beneficial Uses of Water Bodies in North and Central OC WMA tributaries of these creeks Hydro -logic Unit Sand Canyon Wash Santa Ana-Delhi Channel Reach 1 upper boundary of Tidal Prism to intersection of + u X X X X Sunflower Ave./ Flower St. Reach 2 Sunflower Ave./ Flower St. intersection to + u X X X Warner Ave. Wetlands San Joaquin freshwater marsh + X X X X X X Source: Santa Ana Region Basin Plan, Chapter 3, Table 3-1, Beneficial Uses, Updated February 2016 X = Existing or potential beneficial use = Intermittent beneficial use + = Excepted from the municipal and domestic supply ^ = Diversion Dam is 0.23 mile downstream of confluence with the Fairview Channel ASBS = area of special biological significance SWQPA = state water quality protection area WMA = Watershed Management Area 1 Access prohibited per agency with jurisdiction 2 Access prohibited in all or part by County of Orange U = REC 1 and/or REC 2 are not attainable uses 2-49

50 Table 2-8 Definition of Beneficial Uses of Water MUN AGR IND PROC GWR NAV POW REC-1 REC-2 COMM WARM LWRM Municipal and domestic supply (MUN) waters are used for community, military, municipal, or individual water supply systems. These uses may include, but are not limited to, drinking waters supply. Agricultural supply (AGR) waters are used for farming, horticulture, or ranching. These uses may include, but are not limited to, irrigation, stock watering, and support of vegetation for range grazing. Industrial service supply (IND) waters are used for industrial activities that do not depend primarily on water quality. These uses may include, but are not limited to, mining, cooling water supply, hydraulic conveyance, gravel washing, fire protection, and oil well repressurization. Industrial process supply (PROC) waters are used for industrial activities that depend primarily on water quality. These uses may include, but are not limited to, process water supply and all uses of water related to product manufacture or food preparation. Groundwater recharge (GWR) waters are used for natural or artificial recharge of groundwater for purposes that may include, but are not limited to, future extraction, maintaining water quality, or halting saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. Navigation (NAV) waters are used for shipping, travel, or other transportation by private, commercial, or military vessels. Hydropower generation (POW) waters are used for hydroelectric power generation. Water contact recreation (REC-1) waters are used for recreational activities involving body contact with water where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. These uses may include, but are not limited to, swimming, wading, water-skiing, skin and SCUBA diving, surfing, whitewater activities, fishing, and use of natural hot springs. Noncontact water recreation (REC-2) waters are used for recreational activities involving proximity to water but not normally involving body contact with water where ingestion of water would be reasonably possible. Uses may include, but are not limited to, picnicking, sunbathing, hiking, beachcombing, camping, boating, tidepool and marine life study, hunting, sightseeing, and aesthetic enjoyment in conjunction with the above activities. Commercial and sportfishing (COMM) waters are used for commercial or recreational collection of fish or other organisms, including those collected for bait. These uses may include, but are not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption. Warm freshwater habitat (WARM) waters support warm-water ecosystems that may include, but are not limited to, preservation and enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, and wildlife, including invertebrates. Limited warm freshwater habitat (LWRM) waters support warm-water ecosystems that are severely limited in diversity and abundance as the result of concrete-lined watercourses and low, shallow dry-weather flows that result in extreme temperature, ph, and/or dissolved oxygen conditions. Naturally reproducing finfish populations are not expected to occur in LWRM waters. 2-50

51 Table 2-8 Definition of Beneficial Uses of Water COLD BIOL WILD RARE SPWN MAR SHEL EST Cold freshwater habitat (COLD) waters support cold-water ecosystems that may include, but are not limited to, preservation and enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, and wildlife, including invertebrates. Preservation of biological habitats of special significance (BIOL) waters support designated areas or habitats, including, but not limited to, established refuges, parks, sanctuaries, ecological reserves or preserves, and areas of special biological significance, where the preservation and enhancement of natural resources require special protection. Wildlife habitat (WILD) waters support wildlife habitats that may include, but are not limited to, the preservation and enhancement of vegetation and prey species used by waterfowl and other wildlife. Rare, threatened, or endangered species (RARE) waters support habitats necessary for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species designated under state or federal law as rare, threatened, or endangered. Spawning, reproduction, and development (SPWN) waters support high-quality aquatic habitats necessary for reproduction and early development of fish and wildlife. Marine habitat (MAR) waters support marine ecosystems that include, but are not limited to, preservation and enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation (e.g., kelp), fish and shellfish, and wildlife (e.g., marine mammals and shorebirds). Shellfish harvesting (SHEL) waters support habitats necessary for shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters, limpets, abalone, shrimp, crab, lobster, sea urchins, and mussels) collected for human consumption, commercial, or sports purposes. Estuarine habitat (EST) waters support estuarine ecosystems, which may include, but are not limited to, preservation and enhancement of estuarine habitats, vegetation, fish and shellfish, and wildlife, such as waterfowl, shorebirds, and marine mammals. Impaired Water Bodies and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). For the beneficial uses established under the relevant Basin Plan or Water Quality Control Plan water quality objectives are adopted to protect these established beneficial uses. When receiving waters are not meeting water quality objectives established in the Basin Plan, Regional Boards are required to prepare TMDLs. A TMDL establishes the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive from both point and nonpoint sources and still meet water quality standards. Once a TMDL has been adopted and is being implemented, the listing comes off the 303(d) list and the TMDL and adopted permit requirement then govern the schedule. 2-51

52 The Central OC WMA began addressing water quality impairments due to sediment during the 1970s. Significant areas in the watershed transitioned to urban land uses and channel erosion and sediment imbalance rapidly became a major issue. The County of Orange began investigations into the erosion within drainage channels in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In 1983, a group of local agencies and The Irvine Company formed a partnership to begin to address sediment management needs in the watershed. That collaboration has since expanded into the Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee, and the regional governance structure now in place to address water quality issues and to oversee IRWM planning in an advisory capacity. In 1998, the Santa Ana Regional Board began a detailed evaluation of water quality in the Newport Bay Watershed. As a result, several water bodies were impaired in terms of water quality under Section 303 of the federal Clean Water Act. Consequently, TMDLs have been established for four general pollutant categories (sediment, nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria, and toxic pollutants). TMDL implementation sets the amount of pollution that needs to be reduced and assigns responsibility for the reduction. San Diego Creek, the Peters Canyon Channel, Upper Newport Bay, Lower Newport Bay, and the Rhine Channel are listed on the U.S. EPA Section 303(d) list of impaired water bodies due to fecal coliform bacteria, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals, and sediment toxicity (California Water Board 2012). The U.S. EPA and the Santa Ana Regional Board have implemented TMDLs for San Diego Creek and Newport Bay for toxic pollutants (including pesticides and metals), sediment, and nutrients. Additionally, a TMDL for fecal coliform bacteria has been established for Newport Bay. The TMDLs have been established to restore the beneficial uses of and improve water quality in the Newport Bay Watershed. Directly south of the Newport Bay Watershed, the Newport Coast Watershed includes eight coastal canyons that drain directly to the two ASBSs bordering the coastline. Development within this watershed has resulted in hydromodification within the canyons, and the area is experiencing a significant increase in urban runoff containing fertilizers, metals, bacteria, and sediment. Three reaches Borrego Creek, San Diego Creek, Serrano Creek within this watershed are included on the 2012 Section 303(d) list for impaired water quality. In the North OC WMA, the Santa Ana River Watershed, the Lower San Gabriel River/Coyote Creek Watershed, and the Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour Watershed carry runoff for approximately one-third of Orange County s area. These watersheds also provide the riparian habitat for many flora and fauna and include 35 miles of ocean coastline and many of the remaining significant estuary areas along the southern California coastline. Beach closures, clean oceans and meeting TMDL/NPDES requirements are critical components of planning. 2-52

53 Within the North OC WMA, no TMDLs have been adopted to date. Table 2-9 shows the 2012 Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments currently requiring TMDLs within The OC Plan region. Figure 2-16 shows the impaired main water bodies within the Region. Table Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments Requiring TMDLs in the North and Central OC WMAs Region Water Body Water Body Type Pollutants Est. TMDL Completion North OC WMA Bolsa Chica Channel Bolsa Chica State Beach East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel Anaheim Bay Huntington Beach State Park Huntington Harbour Santa Ana Delhi Channel Santiago Creek Reach 4 Seal Beach Central OC WMA Balboa Beach Borrego Creek Buck Gully Creek River & Stream 5.1 miles Coastal & Bay Shoreline miles River & Stream 2.9 miles Bay & Harbor 402 acres Coastal & Bay Shoreline miles Bay & Harbor 221 acres River & Stream miles River & Stream 10 miles Coastal & Bay Shoreline miles Coastal & Bay Shoreline miles River & Stream 3.15 miles River & Stream miles Ammonia Indicator Bacteria ph Copper Nickel Ammonia 2021 Dieldrin Nickel PCBs Sediment Toxicity PCBs 2019 Chlordane Copper Lead Nickel Pathogens PCB Sediment Toxicology Indicator Bacteria 2021 Salinity/TDS/Chlorides 2019 Enterococcus PBBs DDT Dieldrin PCBs Ammonia Indicator Bacteria Fecal Coliform Total Coliform

54 Table Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments Requiring TMDLs in the North and Central OC WMAs Region Water Body Water Body Type Pollutants Est. TMDL Completion Los Trancos Creek Morning Canyon Creek Newport Bay Upper (Ecological Reserve) Newport Bay Lower (entire lower bay, including Rhine Channel, Turning Basin and South Lido Channel to east end of H-J Moorings) Newport Slough Peters Canyon Channel San Diego Creek Reach 1 San Diego Creek Reach 2 Serrano Creek River & Stream miles River & Stream miles Estuary 654 acres Bay & Harbor 767 acres River & Stream miles River & Stream 3 miles River & Stream 7.83 miles River & Stream miles River & Stream 7.2 miles Fecal Coliform 2019 Total Coliform 2019 Indicator Bacteria 2021 Chlordane Copper DDT Indicator Bacteria Metals Nutrients PCBs Pesticides Sediment Toxicity Sedimentation/Siltation Chlordane Copper DDT Indicator Bacteria Nutrients PCBs Pesticides Sediment Toxicity Enterococcus Fecal Coliform Total Coliform DDT Indicator Bacteria ph Toxaphene Fecal Coliform Nutrients Pesticides Sedimentation/Siltation Selenium Toxaphene Indicator Bacteria Nutrients Sedimentation/Siltation Unknown Toxicity Ammonia Indicator Bacteria

55 Table Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments Requiring TMDLs in the North and Central OC WMAs Region Water Body Water Body Type Pollutants Est. TMDL Completion ph 2021 Silverado Creek River & Stream 11 miles Pathogens Salinity/TDS/Chlorides Source: California State Water Resources Control Board, Final 2012 California Integrated Report (Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List / 305(b) Report) 27 Figure 2-16: Impaired Water Bodies

56 Trash Management. Further, trash management as discharge to local water bodies is an important element in the Watershed. The Newport Bay Watershed Draft Trash Management Plan Framework 28 was prepared as a planning level document to serve as a model for implementation throughout Orange County. The objective of the Trash Management Plan Framework (TMP) is to help MS4 Permittees within the Newport Bay Watershed Plan comply with the State of California s Trash Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California and Part 1 Trash Provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (Trash Amendments) (SWRCB 2015). Beginning in early 2017 and continuing through the next decade, MS4 Permittees and other public agencies must comply with these requirements. One primary intent of the requirements is significant reductions in the discharge of trash to local water bodies from cities and counties throughout the State. The Trash Amendments define trash as follows: Trash means all improperly discarded solid material from any production, manufacturing, or processing operation including, but not limited to, products, product packaging, or containers constructed of plastic, steel, aluminum, glass, paper, or other synthetic or natural materials. A central element of the statewide Trash Amendments is a land-use based compliance approach that focuses trash controls in areas with high trash generation rates, which are referred to as priority land uses. The Trash Amendments define priority land uses as those land uses that have been developed (i.e., not simply zoned) as high density residential, industrial, commercial, mixed urban, and public transportation stations. The Trash Amendments also allow Permittees to propose alternative equivalent land uses that better represent high-trash generating areas. For Phase I Co-permittees that have regulatory authority over Priority Land Uses, the Trash Provisions require implementation of the prohibition through requirements incorporated into Phase I MS4 Permits and/or through monitoring and reporting orders, by June 2, Since the Trash Provisions have not yet been implemented through the Orange County MS4 Permit, the Santa Ana Regional Board is implementing the initial steps of the Trash Provisions through the orders issued on June 2, 2017 in accordance with Water Code section 13383, as specified in the Trash Provisions. 29 Recycled Water Regulations. The supply and use of recycled water (treated water of wastewater origin) is regulated by the Santa Ana Regional Board and the SWRCB Division of Drinking Water. Title 22 defines requirements for the treatment, delivery and use of recycled water for non-potable uses as well as groundwater recharge. 28 Newport Bay Watershed Trash Management Plan Framework, County of Orange, Geosyntec Consultants and EOA Inc., September 30,

57 Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Regulations. The land and ocean are inextricably linked, and much of the water pollution in California ends up in the ocean. As discussed, ocean water quality is regulated by the CWA and Porter-Cologne Act. In response to the Porter-Cologne Act, the SWRCB adopted the California Ocean Plan adopting ocean water quality standards. Assembly Bill 411 (AB411), passed in 1997 and implemented in 1999, mandates monitoring requirements for ocean water quality. AB411 requires testing for indicator bacteria to determine if standards are met for total coliform, fecal coliform/e. coli, and enterococcus. Indicator bacteria were selected to indicate the presence of harder to detect and more harmful micro-organisms that may cause diseases. Testing is required at all beaches from April through October that receive 50,000 or more visitors per year and beaches adjacent to storm drain outfalls with drainage during summer months. AB411 also stipulates closure of beaches to water-contact recreation when measured bacteria is thought to be caused by human sewage. In 2011, California adopted Senate Bill 482, Beach Safety Program, which changed implementation responsibility of the AB411 from the CDPH to the SWRCB. The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (Beach Act) of 2000, amends the CWA, incorporating provisions intended to reduce the risk of illness to users of the Nation s recreational waters. The Beach Act authorizes the U.S. EPA to award program development and implementation grants to eligible states, territories, tribes, and local governments to support microbiological testing and monitoring of coastal recreation waters that are adjacent to beaches and similar points of access used by the public. Monitoring activities for the Orange County coastal recreation waters are conducted by the County Health Care Agency. The Orange County Ocean Water Protection Program ensures that all public recreational waters meet applicable water quality standards for swimming and shellfish harvesting. The Health Care Agency routinely conducts microbial monitoring of ocean waters, responds to sewage spills and other unauthorized discharges of waste, closes ocean and bay waters, posts warning signs, responds to illness complaints, and issues health advisories. Delivered Potable Water Quality. Water retailers are required to meet Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. This applies to both direct supplies from imported water as well as water requiring additional treatment. As such, each retailer ensures that all potable water meets these water quality standards, resulting in water quality that is equal to or better than these standards. Groundwater Quality. OCWD adopted the first Groundwater Quality Protection Policy in 1987; the latest revision was adopted by its Board of Directors in The policy guides the actions of 2-57

58 OCWD to prevent groundwater quality degradation, undertake investigation and clean up as necessary to protect the basin from contamination, and encourage appropriate treatment of poor-quality groundwater. The policy includes water quality monitoring, removal of contaminants, regulatory agency support, toxic residuals removal and hazardous waste management. In addition, OCWD provides water quality information to regulatory agencies, other water agencies and the public. To meet the current and future water quality testing requirements, OCWD operates the Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory at the Fountain Valley campus. The laboratory houses approximately 30 chemists and laboratory technicians, 12 water quality monitoring personnel and all the analytical instruments that are needed to perform more than 400,000 analyses of approximately 20,000 water samples taken each water year. The laboratory supports the extensive water quality testing requirements for the GWRS. 30 The OCWD extensively monitors the quality of the Orange County Basin, testing for more than 100 regulated and unregulated chemicals at frequencies established by regulation, such as nitrate, salts, selenium, trichloroethylene, volatile organic compounds, and radon. This testing ensures potable water quality. A primary OCWD function is to monitor groundwater quality; the collection of samples follows federal and state procedures. To ensure that results are representative of the ambient groundwater conditions, OCWD follows industry recognized quality assurance and quality control protocols. There are over 2,000 wells in OCWD s monitoring network with more than 1,100 sampling points, which include active drinking, private domestic, irrigation, and industrial wells, single and multi-point wells, and inactive wells. Annually, approximately 17,000 samples are collected from monitoring wells providing data to depths of 2,000 feet in many areas of the Basin. 31 OCWD publishes an annual Engineer s Report that summarizes the groundwater quality. The Engineer s Report shows when blended together by the major agencies within OCWD s service area, the blended groundwater (without treatment) and treated supplemental water for was determined to have a flow-weighted average of 489 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of total dissolved solids (TDS) which is less than the average TDS concentration of 496 mg/l reported for the prior year ( ). The average groundwater TDS concentration for the basin for was 449 mg/l (compared to 452 mg/l reported for ), ranging from a low of 222 mg/l in Seal Beach to a high of approximately 711 mg/l in certain inland areas Engineer s Report on Groundwater conditions, Water Supply an Basin Utilization in the Orange County Water District, February Groundwater Management Plan 2015 Update, Orange County Water District, July 17,

59 Average concentrations of TDS, nitrate (NO3) and hardness for groundwater and groundwater combined with supplemental water supplied by agencies within OCWD s service area during the water year are summarized in Table These concentrations were determined from groundwater and supplemental water analyses and from production reports submitted to and filed with OCWD by each water agency. The City of Tustin and IRWD have active groundwater treatment projects that help to reduce certain constituents reported in Table 2-10 in their groundwater supply prior to service to their customers (see note 6 for detailed explanation). Table 2-10 data is taken from the OCWD Engineers Report, for (OCWD 2017). The data shows: 1) untreated groundwater in OCWD service area; and 2) untreated groundwater blended with treated supplemental water supplied by various agencies within OCWD service area. Note IRWD and the City of Tustin operate groundwater quality improvements projects that treat for one or more of the constituents listed in Table 2-10 prior to distribution to customers. Table 2-10 Untreated Groundwater Quality in OCWD Service Area in City/Agency Groundwater (mg/l) 1,7 Delivered Blend (mg/l) 1,2,7 TDS 3 NO3-N Hardness 5 TDS 3 NO3-N Hardness 5 Anaheim Buena Park East Orange County Water District Fountain Valley Fullerton Garden Grove Golden State Water Company Huntington Beach Irvine Ranch Water District 6 La Palma 295 ND ND Mesa Water District Newport Beach Orange Santa Ana Seal Beach 222 ND ND Serrano Water District Tustin Westminster

60 Table 2-10 Untreated Groundwater Quality in OCWD Service Area in City/Agency Groundwater (mg/l) 1,7 Delivered Blend (mg/l) 1,2,7 TDS 3 NO3-N Hardness 5 TDS 3 NO3-N Hardness 5 Yorba Linda Water District Weighted Average Source: OCWD, Engineer s Report, Table 6 1 All groundwater results (alone or blend) are for untreated groundwater. 2 Delivered blend includes untreated groundwater and treated imported Metropolitan water (i.e., blend of Colorado River water and State Water Project water a measured at the Metropolitan Diemer Plant, except Serrano Water District, which blends with treated Santiago Reservoir water. Annual average water qualities for Metropolitan and Santiago Reservoir (Irvine Lake) for are: Metropolitan Water Quality TDS = 648 mg/l; No 3 -N = 0.2 mg/l; Hardness (as CaCO3) = 295 mg/l Santiago Reservoir Water Quality TDS = 709 mg/l; NO3-N = ND mg/l; Hardness (as CaCO3) = 343 mg/l. 3 Secondary Drinking Water Standards for TDS are: 500 mg/l = recommended limit and 1,000 mg/l = upper limit. 4 Primary Drinking Water Standards for nitrate NO3-N (i.e., nitrate expressed as nitrogen) is 10 mg/l 5 Hardness is reported as mg/l of CaCO3; general classifications of hard and soft water are within the following concentration ranges: 0-75 mg/l = soft; mg/l = moderately hard; mg/l = hard; and 300+ mg/l = very hard. 6 Agencies with active groundwater quality improvement projects that treat for one or more of the constituents are listed in the table. Water quality marked with an asterisk (*) are reduced prior to delivery to customers. 7 All water quality results are flow-weighted averages based on groundwater and imported water delivered to each entity. 8 ND = non-detect; Nitrate (expressed as NO3-N) analytical detection limited for OCWD Advanced Water Quality Assurance Laboratory is 0.1 mg/l. There are several regional groundwater contamination plumes within the OCWD Management Area, all of which are under active remediation. The U.S. EPA is the lead agency in remediation of the plume in the North Basin area. Remediation for individual sites within the South Basin area is within the jurisdiction of either the California Department of Toxic Substances Control or the Regional Water Board. The U.S. Navy is taking the lead in remediation of plumes from the former El Toro and Tustin Marine Corps Air Stations and the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. AB1429 Compliance. CWC (e)(14) (AB 1249) requires that an area within the boundaries of an integrated regional water management plan that has nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate, or hexavalent chromium contamination in the Region, must include a description of the (1) location and extent of that contamination, (2) the impacts caused by the contamination to communities within the Region, (3) existing efforts being undertaken in the Region to address the impacts, and (4) and additional efforts needed to address the impacts. 2-60

61 OCWD conducted a water quality database search for these four parameters from 2014 to 2016 for all drinking water production wells within the North and Central Orange County Watershed Management Areas. All wells were identified where there was one occurrence of perchlorate concentration greater than the 6 ppb MCL, hexavalent chromium concentration was greater than the former MCL of 10 ppb, arsenic concentration was greater than the 10 ppb MCL, or the nitrate (as N) concentration was greater than the 10 mg/l MCL. For all wells, there were no samples with a hexavalent chromium concentration greater than 10 ppb. Arsenic concentrations were greater than 10 ppb in at least one sample in a total of three production wells during Perchlorate concentrations greater than 6 ppb were found in one water sample from three production wells: IRWD-5: 2 of 4 samples > 10 ppb As MCL; well is blended before entering distribution system LP-CITY: 13 of 40 samples > 10 ppb As MCL; well screen has been recently modified to reduce contribution from zones with elevated arsenic concentrations; average concentration into distribution system maintained below the MCL YLWD-15: 6 of 14 samples > 10 ppb As MCL; well is blended in a reservoir before entering distribution system The arsenic and perchlorate wells are shown on Figure Potable water from these wells is treated via reverse osmosis or ion exchange at treatment plants in the City of Tustin and/or blended with groundwater pumped from other wells prior to being served to residents to reduce perchlorate concentrations to below the MCL. Figure 2-18 shows areas with nitrate (as N) concentrations above the MCL of 10 mg/l. Management of nitrates is a component of the salinity management program in the Santa Ana River Watershed. The Basin Plan for the Santa Ana River Region (Regional Water Quality Control Board, Region 8) contains water quality objectives for nitrates in the groundwater management zones in the watershed. Because Santa Ana River water is used to recharge the Orange County Groundwater Basin, controlling the levels of nitrates in the river has an impact on groundwater quality. OCWD operates an extensive system of wetlands in the Prado Basin to reduce nitrate levels in river water upstream of recharge basins. Groundwater with elevated nitrate levels in the Tustin area is treated at the Tustin Main Street and 17 th Street Treatment Plant prior to distribution to residents. Further, OCWD monitors, reviews and comments on local land use plans, environmental documents, and proposed regulatory agency permits to provide input to land use planning 2-61

62 agencies regarding proposed projects and programs that could cause short- or long-term water quality impacts to the Orange County Groundwater Basin. Groundwater Basin Salinity Management. The watershed s salinity management program, overseen by the Regional Water Board, is managed by the Basin Monitoring Program Task Force. The Task Force consists of over 20 water and wastewater agencies and local governments. Beginning in 1995, the task force evaluated the impacts to groundwater quality of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) and total dissolved solids (TDS). Formation of the Task Force was in response to concerns by the Santa Ana Regional Board that water quality objectives for nitrogen and TDS were being exceeded in some groundwater basins in the watershed. Figure 2-17: Production Wells with Arsenic and Perchlorate Concentrations Above the MCL 2-62

63 Figure 2-18: Areas of Nitrate-N Above the MCL Water quality objectives for TDS and nitrate-nitrogen in groundwater management zones were adopted by the Regional Water Board based on historical water quality data. Every three years the Task Force calculates the current ambient water quality for each groundwater management zone. The most recent recalculation for the groundwater basin was completed in

64 The Task Force completed the study and developed amendments to the Santa Ana River Basin Plan that were adopted in This nearly 10-year effort involved collecting and analyzing data in 25 newly defined groundwater management zones in the watershed to recalculate nitrogen and TDS levels and to establish new water quality objectives. Models were developed and data was collected to enable an evaluation of the potential short-term and long-term impacts on water resources due to changes in land use, the quantity and quality of runoff, and point source discharges. The Basin Plan charges the Task Force with implementing a watershed-wide TDS/Nitrogen management program. Southern California Salinity Coalition (SCSC). 32 Formed in 2002, SCSC is a nonprofit coalition of water and wastewater agencies in Southern California dedicated to managing salinity in water supplies. SCSC s member agencies include the Eastern Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and Santa Ana Project Watershed Authority. Consequences of salinity include: detrimental effects on plant growth and crop yield; damage to infrastructure; reduction of water quality; sedimentation problems; and soil erosion. Salinity impacts residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural water users, groundwater, wastewater, and recycled water resources, and utility distribution systems. When salinity levels of imported water are reduced, the Region benefits from both the improved use of local groundwater and recycled water and reduced costs to water consumers and utilities. A 100 mg/l salinity decrease in imported water would result in $95 million per year of economic benefits. Similarly, a 100 mg/l reduction in salt content in groundwater would lead to $65 million per year of economic benefits. Salinity reduction and the resulting improved water quality would provide the following possible benefits: Reduced costs to water consumers and utilities; millions of dollars saved in damages to pipes, faucets, washing machines, dish washers, water heaters, and other appliances; increased crop yields; improved consumer confidence; decreased desalination and brine disposal costs; reduced salt build-up in groundwater; and improved aesthetic quality for public consumers. SCSC s objectives to coordinate salinity management strategies include: establish proactive programs to address the critical need to remove salts from water supplies; preserve, sustain, and enhance the quality of source water supplies; support economic development; and reach out to the general public on salinity problems

65 The six primary strategic goals of SCSC include: 1) state and federal advocacy; 2) salinity information and education program; 3) focus regional and watershed planning on salt balance issues; 4) evaluation of brine management alternatives; 5) develop an inventory of saltgenerating sources; and 6) identify research funding priorities. The Coalition is administered by the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI). It facilitates discussions with policy makers to view the use of watershed and basin planning as a method to achieve salt balance and develop policy for long-term salinity management. The Coalition encourages the implementation of such policies in the basin planning process, Bulletin 160 updates, regional integrated resources planning, urban water management plans, and permit processes. The Coalition also works closely with the Southern California Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U. S. EPA Region IX, and local agencies to assist dischargers in meeting their requirements through salt and nutrient management plans that can be implemented in a timely fashion. 2.3 Jurisdictional Boundaries Federal, state, and local agencies have jurisdiction within the Region. On a federal level, the IRWM Region is within U.S. EPA Region 9, which covers the entire Pacific Southwest. On a state level, the Region falls under the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Regional Board and the DWR Southern District. Under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Region is located within the CDFW s South Coast Region. The Newport Beach Marine Life Refuge and the Irvine Coast Marine Life Refuges are in CDFW s Marine Region, which serves the entire state coastline from border to border and three nautical miles out to sea. The CDFW also has jurisdiction over the Upper Newport Bay State Ecological Reserve. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over certain open-space areas, including Corona Del Mar State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. On a local level, the County of Orange and municipalities cities and special districts have jurisdictional boundaries with authority for land use, water resources, habitat, water quality, flood control, and recreation facility management. Table 2-11 lists the Federal, State and local agencies with jurisdiction in the IRWM Region. These agency boundaries are shown in later figures. 2-65

66 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES California Coastal Conservancy California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Department of Parks and Recreation California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) State Water Resources Control Board Santa Ana Region Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) Partners with local government, other public agencies, nonprofit organization and private landowners to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources; established in 1976 to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and sustain local economies along the length of California s coast and around San Francisco Bay. CDFW is responsible for conserving, protecting and managing California s fish, wildlife, and native plant resources. Per Fish and Wildlife Code Section 1602, entities are required to notify CDFW of any proposed activity that may substantially modify a river, stream or lake. The California Department of Parks and Recreation seek to provide for the health, inspiration and education of Californians by helping to preserve the state's biological diversity, protecting natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for outdoor recreation. They have jurisdiction over several natural areas in North and Central OC, including Bolsa Chica State Park, Corona del Mar State Beach, and Huntington State Beach. Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes and adjacent property within rights of way, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Regulatory agency responsible for the protection and, where possible, the enhancement of the quality of California s waters; the Santa Ana Regions includes the upper and lower Santa Ana River watersheds, the San Jacinto River watershed, and several other small drainage areas; the Santa Ana Region covers parts of southwestern San Bernardino County, western Riverside County, and northwestern Orange County; Santa Ana Regional Board makes critical water quality decisions for its Region, including setting standards, issuing waste discharge requirements, determining compliance with those requirements, and taking appropriate enforcement actions. A pubic agency since 1969, SCCWRP is a leading U.S. environmental research institute that works to develop a scientific foundation for informed water-quality management of ocean and coastal watersheds in Southern California and beyond. 2-66

67 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Habitat and wildlife management, including protection of endangered Service species. United States Army With environmental sustainability as a guiding principle, the USACE Corps of Engineers team is working diligently to strengthen the Nation s security by (USACE), Southern building and maintaining America s infrastructure and providing California offices military facilities where our service members train, work and live. They are protecting and restoring the Nation s environment. The USACE has worked closely with OCWD, the County of Orange and other stakeholders in the North and Central OC WMAs managing waters of the United States and natural resources, including rivers, dams and levees. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Cleveland National Forest U.S. National Park Service USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) The Cleveland National Forest spans 460,000 acres intersecting parts of Orange and Riverside Counties. The agency s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The U.S. Forest Service provides firefighting, forestry research, as well as technical and financial help to state and local government agencies, businesses, private landowners and work government-to-government with tribes to help protect and manage non-federal forest and associated range and watershed lands. They have partnerships with public and private agencies to plant trees, improve trails, educate the public, and improve conditions in wildland/urban interfaces and rural areas. The U.S. Forest Service also promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. Helps communities preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities; funding to register, record and save historic places, create community parks and local recreation facilities, conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways Works to improve the health of natural resources while sustaining and enhancing the productivity of American agriculture; achieved through strong partnerships with private landowners, managers, and communities to protect, restore, and enhance the lands and waters upon which people and the environment depend. Among many actions, NRCS helps to eliminate and reduce impairments to water bodies and help prevent the designation of additional water bodies to the impaired list, decrease threats to candidate and threatened/ 2-67

68 COUNTY AGENCIES County of Orange Orange County Flood Control District Orange County Council of Governments Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region endangered species; strengthen relationships with agriculture, conservation, and community organizations, and other mission stakeholders; and help build and support coalitions of public and private partners based on ecologic and industry needs. Land use, recreational facilities, stormwater protection, and water quality. The County of Orange, represented in this process primarily by OC Public Works, is active in integrated water management in a variety of ways; both as a landowner and a regional planner for the area, and engaged in various municipal operations such as roads and flood control; the County is partnered with each city and the OCFCD to comply with NPDES MS4 permit requirements; and the primary coordinator for regional water quality testing, inspection, education and report compliance. The County has jurisdiction over several County beaches, parks, and facilities including North Tustin, Santa Ana Heights, and Moro Canyon, and Limestone Canyon/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Parks, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Newport Harbor, and Irvine, Mason, and Peters Canyon Regional Parks. Land use, flood control, stormwater protection, and water quality throughout the Orange County and control of streams flowing into the County; mitigates effects of tides and waves and protects harbors, waterways, public highways, and properties from such waters - OCFCD is a separate political entity, governed by the County Board of Supervisors and staffed by OC Public Works. OCFCD s purpose is to: (1) control flood and storm waters within the County boundary, and streams flowing into the County; (2) improve channels to remove or reduce flood flows to containment within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) also known as the 100-year floodplain; (3) improve deficient channels in accordance with OCFCD criteria to convey the 100-year storm event;(4) mitigate the effects of tides and waves; and (5) to protect the harbors, waterways, public highways, and property in the County from such waters. Voluntary advisory organization that represents 34 cities, County of Orange, transportation agencies, sanitation and water districts, as well as the local air district. 2-68

69 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region Orange County Funding for water quality projects with a link to transportation Transportation projects. Authority Orange County Provides education within the Region. Department of Education Orange County Health Responsible for monitoring water quality at over 150 locations along Care Agency the Orange County coastline. Cities listed provide the following unless exception noted: land use, water service, water conservation, sanitary sewer service, stormwater CITIES protection, water quality, recreational facilities, economic and community development. Population/ North and Central OC Cities Divided Boundaries % in Poverty 33 City of Costa Mesa City of Orange Encompasses a total of 16 square miles with its southernmost border only one mile from the Pacific Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city s total area is 15.7 square miles of land and 0.05 square miles (0.29%) is water. The western half of the city is in the North OC WMA and the balance is in the Newport Bay Watershed in the Central OC WMA; Mesa Water District provides water service and water conservation for most of Costa Mesa, including John Wayne Airport; a small portion of Costa Mesa is provided water and water conservation service by IRWD; sanitary sewer services provided by Costa Mesa Sanitary District. Most of the city lies within the North OC WMA; the balance is in the northern boundary of the Newport Bay Watershed in Central OC WMA; a portion is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat 112, % 140, % 33 estimates as of July 1,

70 City of Santa Ana North OC Cities City of Anaheim Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region protection and restoration, and water quality by IRWD; a small portion of water service is provided by Serrano Water District. Approximately one-third of the city lies within the North OC WMA; the balance is in the Newport Bay Watershed in the Central OC WMA; a portion of Santa Ana is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality by IRWD. Provides water and electric services; a small portion of City water and sanitary sewer services provided by Yorba Linda Water District. Portion of City water and sanitary sewer services provided by Yorba Linda Water District. 334, % Population/ % in Poverty 351, % City of Brea 42, % City of Buena Park 83, % City of Cypress Water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water Company. 48, % City of Fountain Valley 56, % City of Fullerton 140, % City of Garden Grove Small portion of city water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water 174, % Company. City of Huntington Beach 200, % City of La Habra 61, % City of La Palma Small portion of city water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water Company. 15, % 2-70

71 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region City of Los Alamitos Water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water Company. 11, % City of Placentia Portion of city water and sanitary sewer services provided by Yorba Linda Water District. 52, % City of Seal Beach Small portion of city water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water 24, % Company. City of Stanton Water service and water conservation provided by Golden State Water Company. 38, % City of Villa Park Potable water is provided to the city by Serrano Water District. 5, % City of Westminster City of Yorba Linda Central OC Cities City of Irvine City of Newport Beach City of Tustin No recycled water use in city; sanitary sewer service is provided by Midway City Sanitation District collects wastewater to convey wastewater to Orange County Sanitation District treatment plants. Water and sanitary sewer services provided by Yorba Linda Water District. IRWD provides potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality. A portion of Newport Beach is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality by IRWD; a portion of Newport Beach is provided sanitary sewer service by Costa Mesa Sanitary District. A portion of Tustin is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality by IRWD. 91, % 68, % Population/ % in Poverty 266, % 86, % 80, % 2-71

72 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region Cities Partially in Central OC WMA Balance in South OC WMA Population/ % in Poverty City of Laguna Hills Divided between Central OC WMA in a portion of the Newport Bay Watershed and South OC WMA; a portion of the city is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, and wastewater collection and treatment by El Toro Water District. 7,937 (20% in Central OC) 8.5% City of Laguna Woods Divided between Central OC WMA and South OC WMA; potable and recycled water service, water conservation, and wastewater collection and treatment is provided by El Toro Water District. City of Lake Forest Approximately two-thirds of the city lies within the Newport Bay Watershed in the Central OC WMA, the balance is in the South OC WMA; a portion of Lake Forest is provided potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality by Irvine Ranch Water District, and a portion is provided by El Toro Water District. SPECIAL DISTRICTS North and Central OC Special Districts - Shared Costa Mesa Sanitary District East Orange County Water District Irvine Ranch Water District 16,406 (50% in Central OC) 10.3% 192,455 (70% in Central OC) 7.4% Sanitary sewer service to a 16-square-mile area that includes most of Costa Mesa, a portion of Newport Beach, and some unincorporated area. Retail and wholesale (member of MWDOC) water services; wholesale distribution system delivers water to five sub-agencies within its boundaries, including the Golden State Water Company, City of Tustin, City of Orange, Orange Park Acres Mutual Water Company, and its own retail zone, which includes portions of the unincorporated community of North Tustin; 2015 population served - 3,257. Potable and recycled water service, water conservation, wastewater collection, treatment and reclamation, habitat protection and restoration, and water quality; serves all of Irvine and portion of the cities of Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Newport 2-72

73 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region Beach and some unincorporated areas of Orange County; 2015 population served - 379,510. Mesa Water District Serves most of the City of Costa Mesa, including John Wayne Airport, portions of the City of Newport Beach and a small portion of unincorporated Orange County; 2015 population served - 107,588. Municipal Water District of Orange County Midway City Sanitation District Orange County Water District Orange County Sanitation District North OC Special Districts Serrano Water District Yorba Linda Water District Golden State Water Company West Orange System Imported water wholesaler for 28 member agencies and cities; administers various water use efficiency programs that also reduce urban runoff and increase water quality; lead agency implementing a variety of BMP water use programs on behalf of the member agencies and cities. Provides sanitary sewer and solid waste service to all Westminster and Midway City, an unincorporated area of Orange County. Manages and replenishes the Orange County Groundwater Basin, ensures water reliability and quality, prevents seawater intrusion, and protects Orange County's rights to Santa Ana River water. Wastewater services in North and Central OC WMAs; intake of urban runoff from several runoff diversion structures; serves 23 member cities and three sanitary districts. Potable water to the City of Villa Park and a small portion of the City of Orange; manages Irvine Lake a large recreation facility in addition to a water source to both Serrano Water District and Irvine Ranch Water District; 2015 population served - 6,464. Water and sewer services in most of the City of Yorba Linda, parts of Placentia, Brea, Anaheim and unincorporated areas; 2015 population served 74,787. Potable water service and water conservation; located in the northwest portion of Orange County, the West Orange System serves most of the Cities of Cypress, Stanton, and Los Alamitos, small portions of the cities of Seal Beach, Garden Grove and La Palma, and adjacent unincorporated areas of Orange County including the community of Rossmoor; 2015 population served 169,573 (combined with Cowan Heights system shown below). 2-73

74 Table 2-11 Federal, State and Local Agencies with Jurisdiction in the IRWM Region Central OC Special Districts El Toro Water District Golden State Water Company - Cowan Heights Potable and recycled water service, water conservation, and wastewater collection and treatment; serves Laguna Woods and parts of Lake Forest, Laguna Hills in the Central OC WMA, and parts of Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo in the South OC WMA; 2015 population served 48,797. Retail water service in Cowan Heights; unincorporated area north of Tustin; population combined with West Orange System above). Population Summary for the North and Central OC Region. Population estimates for The OC Plan are listed in Table 2-11 by each city within the Region based on the U.S. Census July 2016 estimates. Combined, total population is approximately 2,706,000, with 65 percent (1,763,000) residing in the North OC WMA and 35 percent (943,000) residing in the Central OC WMA. The U.S. Census shows, collectively, that about 13.8 percent (375,000) of this population is living at or below the poverty level. Regional Agency Jurisdiction Detail County of Orange. The County of Orange has jurisdiction over land use in unincorporated areas and is responsible for managing County-owned parks and drainage facilities. The County is also responsible for managing the Orange County Stormwater Program in compliance with the NPDES stormwater permit, for monitoring water quality, and for providing flood protection. Regional services provided to all of Orange County include regional flood control by Orange County Flood Control District water quality enhancement, recreation, and agricultural services. These regional services are countywide and are provided equally within city boundaries as well as in unincorporated areas. Municipal services are provided for inhabited unincorporated areas for which Orange County has land use authority. Figure 2-19 presents the flood control infrastructure in North and Central OC. 2-74

75 Figure 2-19: Flood Control Infrastructure Within the Region, the County has authority for 37 unincorporated island areas, with a sphere of influence by 15 cities. 34 Figure 2-20 shows IRWM Region cities and unincorporated jurisdictional boundaries

76 Figure 2-20: City and Unincorporated Jurisdictional Boundaries The County is also responsible for neighborhood parks and trails. Orange County Parks Department (OC Parks) manages regional recreational facilities and historical and natural resources throughout Orange County, including 37,000 acres of parkland and open space, with regional and wilderness parks, nature preserves and recreational trails, historic sites, and harbors and beaches. Within the Central OC WMA, OC Parks manages the following recreational areas: Limestone Canyon/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Parks Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Newport Harbor Irvine, Mason, and Peters Canyon Regional Parks 2-76

77 Municipal Water District of Orange County. MWDOC is a wholesale water supplier whose efforts, including IRWM, focus on sound planning and appropriate investments in water supply development, water use efficiency, public information, legislative advocacy, water education and emergency preparedness. MWDOC is the third largest member agency of Metropolitan and holds key leadership positions on the Metropolitan Board of Directors, which oversee finances, policy development, long- and short-term resource planning, and program implementation. Established in 1951, MWDOC now serves over 2.3 million Orange County residents. MWDOC s service area is 600 square miles and covers all of Orange County except for the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana, which are direct Metropolitan member agencies. MWDOC purchases over 70 billion gallons of imported water from Metropolitan per year from two sources northern California (transported through the SWP) and the Colorado River (transported through the CRA). MWDOC delivers this water to its 28 member agencies, who in turn, provide retail water services to the public. Orange County Water District. The IRWM implementation authority of OCWD applies to water resource planning and groundwater management. OCWD is an independent special district that was formed by an act of the California State Legislature to protect Orange County s water rights for the Santa Ana River and to manage the groundwater basin that underlies northern and central Orange County. OCWD holds rights to all Santa Ana River flows that reach Prado Dam. OCWD recharges the Orange County groundwater basin primarily with water from the Santa Ana River and recycled water from GWRS, supplemented by untreated imported water purchased from Metropolitan. The groundwater basin is not adjudicated but is cooperatively managed by OCWD according to the basin management plan developed in collaboration with the groundwater producers. OCWD is partnering with OCSD on the Groundwater Replenishment System and also operating the Green Acres Project to enhance the supply of recycled water for irrigation and industrial uses. OCWD manages the groundwater basin by balancing the demand for water with the need to protect the long-term health of the water supply. OCWD actively recharges the groundwater basin and works to expand the basin s yield. Pumping rates are managed to maximize water withdrawals within the basin s safe operating range. The basin s water supply is managed such that supplies are adequate to meet typical demands during drought years and that there are supplies available to help lessen the impacts of drought conditions. Figure 2-21 shows OCWD and MWDOC jurisdictional boundaries. Figure 2-22 shows water agency boundaries cities and districts. 2-77

78 2.4 Open Space and Land Use Understanding the land uses in the Region will help with understanding the needs of the community, including need for open space, as well as where opportunities exist for implementing projects. Land use within the Region has changed dramatically over the past 40 years, as agricultural lands have been converted to urban uses, including large master-planned communities and commercial and industrial areas, which have created a dynamic regional economy. The Central OC WMA contains two former military bases for which major reuse programs are underway. These environmentally impaired sites are being redeveloped to include mixed-use communities that will be a significant source of population growth over the 20-year planning horizon. Former MCAS-Tustin, located in the central portion of the WMA, is the site of Tustin Legacy, a 1,600-acre mixed-use community that incorporates residential, commercial, and institutional uses with over 110 acres of parkland, including a new regional park. The 4,600-acre former MCAS El Toro, located in the eastern portion of the Central OC WMA, will be the site of Heritage Fields, a 2,300-acre mixed-use development, and the Orange County Great Park, a 2,300-acre park that will offer open space, natural drainage, groundwater recharge, and valuable habitat corridors, along with sports fields and educational and cultural facilities for countywide benefit. Land use within the North and Central OC WMAs is the cornerstone of the Region s future, and integrated planning is used on multiple levels to address the challenge of ensuring that there are livable communities, a wide range of recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, along with healthy, functioning ecosystems. Overall, the land use character of the Region is urban. Predominant land uses include commercial and residential uses, with some industrial and institutional areas, scattered agricultural uses and open-space areas such as parks, beaches, the San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh, and Newport Bay. There is minimal agricultural land use as there are very few rural areas only 0.2 percent of the population lives in areas designated as rural (SCAG 2005). A large portion of unincorporated Orange County, a mountainous area on the east side of the Region, is vacant. 2-78

79 The OC PLAN for IRWM in North and Central Orange County Section 2 Figure 2-21: OCWD and MWDOC Jurisdictional Boundaries 2-79

80 Figure 2-22: Water Agencies Cities and Water Districts The University of California, Irvine, located northeast of Upper Newport Bay, encompasses 1,500 acres, some of which are dedicated to institutional uses such as university facilities and student housing. The Region s open space, recreation, and park areas are described further in the following section. Figure 2-23 shows land use in the Region. 2.5 Parks, Forests, Refuges, and Areas of Special Biological Significance Open Space, Recreation, and Parks. Orange County Parks Department (OC Parks) encompasses regional, wilderness and historical facilities, as well as coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring 60,000 acres of parkland, open space and shoreline, Orange 2-80

81 County s award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves. 35 Included in the North and Central OC Region are approximately 37,000 acres within the following areas: Limestone Canyon/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Parks; Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve; Newport Harbor; Irvine, Mason, and Peters Canyon Regional Parks, Orange Coast River Park, Huntington Beach Central Park, and the Santa Ana River Trail system. Figure 2-23: Land Use The Santa Ana River Trail System provides a greenbelt of open space and recreation along the river, such that one could bike from Huntington Beach to Yorba Linda, and beyond into Riverside County. The Orange Coast River Park is approximately 1,000 acres at the mouth of the Santa Ana River and provides passive recreational opportunities, such as birding and interpretive walks

82 adjacent to the Huntington Beach wetlands and preserve areas. Huntington Beach Central Park includes the Shipley Nature Center and provides opportunities for bird watching, along with equestrian uses and walking paths. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over certain open-space areas, including Corona Del Mar State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. Multiple preserves are present in the Region providing open space, recreation, and habitat including the Talbert Nature Preserve and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. The Coyote Creek watershed connects coastal dune open space at the mouth of the watershed to upland riparian woodlands in the canyons approaching the upper watershed, where vast open space is bisected by newer development in the communities of North OC. In many areas, however, urbanization across the Region has left many communities park poor. The lack of distributed park areas causes immense strain on the Region s existing beaches, parks, and natural areas. In response to this issue, cities and non-governmental organizations are seeking creative ways to fund park improvements and develop much needed conservation programs to acquire lands adjacent to environmental and habitat sensitive areas. Marine Protected Areas (MPA). MPAs along the southern California coast (Point Conception to California/Mexico border) have been in effect in state waters since January 1, The 50 MPAs in this region cover approximately 356 square miles, or about 15 percent of Southern California state waters. Within the North and Central OC WMAs, the following are MPAs identified for the Region: 36 Bolsa Bay State Marine Conservation Area: This area overlaps the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Bolsa Bay estuary southward of a line that approximates the Warner Avenue bridge. Take is prohibited, except the recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore is allowed in designated areas only. Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited. Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area: This area also overlaps the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and includes the waters below the mean high tide line within the Bolsa Chica Basin estuary northeastward of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge. No take is allowed, and boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited. Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area: This area overlaps the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and includes the waters below the mean high tide line within Upper Newport Bay northeastward of Pacific Coast Highway. Take is prohibited, except the recreational take of finfish by hook and line from shore is allowed in

83 designated areas only. Swimming is allowed only in the area between North Star Beach and mid-channel. Boats are limited to speeds less than five miles per hour. Shoreline access is limited to established trails, paths, or other designated areas. Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS). An ASBS is a protected area designated to support and protect natural marine ecosystems and heritage, improve the opportunities for human activities, and ensure a strong coastal economy. An ASBS differs from a MPA, such that ASBS policies are based upon attainment of water quality standards. ASBS regulations prohibit waste from entering the protected habitat through drains and natural water outputs. The SWRCB has designated three ASBS within Orange County: the Robert E. Badham (Newport Coast) ASBS (No. 32), the Irvine Coast (Crystal Cove) ASBS (No. 33), and the Heisler Park ASBS (No. 30) 37. ASBS Number 32 and a portion of Number 33 are within the Central OC WMA shown in Figure Figure 2-24: Areas of Special Biological Significance 37 Orange County Marine Protection Area Council. Water Quality- ASBS. Retrieved online 7/27/

84 The Robert E. Badham ASBS was designated in 1974 (Index No. 32) and comprises 0.7 miles of coastline in Orange County and covers about 220 acres. The Robert E. Badham State Marine Park (formerly known as the Newport Beach Marine Life Refuge) is located along the shoreline of this ASBS out to a distance of 200 feet offshore, and is administered by the CDFW. Adjacent to the northern end of the ASBS, Newport State Beach (administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation) is a heavily used recreational area, while coastal bluffs and rocky tide pools dominate the southern end. Uses of the watershed, nearshore, and offshore areas include industrial service supply, navigation, recreation, commercial and sport fishing, and shellfish harvesting. Key pollution threats to the Robert E. Badham ASBS include the adjacent marina, commercial and residential runoff from Corona Del Mar, and flows altered by homeowners in Buck Gully, draining onto Little Corona beach. The Irvine Coast ASBS was designated in 1974 (Index No. 33), covers approximately 941 acres, and begins at Pelican Point and continues 3.4 miles along the coastline to the City of Laguna Beach. This ASBS contains the Irvine Coast State Marine Park (formerly called a Marine Life Refuge), and the overlapping Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area, which are administered by the CDFW. These Marine Protected Areas and the adjoining beach provide excellent tidal and offshore communities featuring tide pools, kelp beds, and dolphin birthing grounds. Despite increasing urbanization, Crystal Cove State Park (administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation) contains some of the last undeveloped Orange County coastline. Key pollution threats include road runoff and possible septic tank leakage. 2.6 Ecosystem Processes, Habitat and Vegetation The following discusses the Region s geology, soils, biological resources, and wildlife. Figure 2-25 shows the location of the Region s vegetation and habitat. Before 1940, most of the North and Central OC WMAs were undeveloped and largely covered by coastal sage scrub habitat. Some cattle grazing did occur, which disturbed the native vegetation and caused a net increase in sediment loads in runoff and sedimentation of the canyon creek beds. Development of the Region began to increase in the 1940s and 1950s. Grading operations for the numerous communities, as well as transportation corridors intruded into the canyon areas and cut across agricultural lands. Since 1990, the Region has been developed extensively, primarily for residential use. 2-84

85 2.6.1 Geology and Hydrology Figure 2-25: Habitat and Vegetation Geologic and Hydrologic Features of the Santa Ana River Watershed. 38 This section presents the geomorphology the study of the classification, description, nature, origin, and development of present landforms and their relationships to underlying structures and of the history of geologic changes as recorded by these surface features. 38 One Water, One Watershed Plan 2.0, Section 3.0 Watershed Setting, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, February

86 The upper Santa Ana River Watershed or headwaters, including the highest point in the drainage system, is delineated by the east-west ridgeline of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. Over this ridgeline lies the Mojave Desert, which is part of the Lahontan Basin. This upper erosion zone of the watershed has the highest gradient, highest erosion level of new sediment to the system, and fastest stormwater runoff. As flows consist mainly of snowmelt and storm runoff from the undeveloped land in the San Bernardino National Forest, water quality tends to be high, with low concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrates, and other pollutants. In this zone, the Santa Ana River channel is confined in its lateral movement, contained by the slope of the high, mountainous terrain. Within the upper watershed, the SAR and its tributaries travel around large boulders and over sand and gravel bars punctuated by pools and riffles reaching depths of about six feet. A visual fly-through of the Santa Ana Watershed is available here: Sedimentary and crystalline materials from the upper watershed move down slope through a process fed by storm pulses; therefore, sediment does not move at a continuous speed. River flow from Seven Oaks Dam to the City of San Bernardino consists mainly of storm flows, flows from the Lower San Timoteo Creek, and groundwater that is rising due to local geological features. From the City of San Bernardino to the City of Riverside, the river flows perennially and much of the reach is operated as a flood control facility. The principal tributary streams in the upper Watershed originate in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains. From the City of Riverside to the recharge basins below Imperial Highway, river flow in Orange County consists of highly treated publicly owned treatment works (POTW) effluent, urban runoff, irrigation runoff water, imported water applied for groundwater recharge, and groundwater forced to the surface by underground barriers. Near Corona, the Santa Ana River cuts through the Santa Ana Mountains and the Peralta-Chino Hills, which together form the northern end of the Peninsular Ranges in Southern California. The Santa Ana River then flows down onto the Orange County coastal plain where the channel lessens in gradient, the valley floor is reached, and the soft features of the channel where sediment has deposited are more prevalent. Floodplains are strewn with boulders and characterized by sand and gravel washes. Within this valley floor, the transport and depositional processes are less confined by higher terrain as water, dissolved material and sediment move toward the sea. Over time, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife have adapted to this dynamic process and channel form. However, rapid urbanization has artificially increased the rate of sedimentation and loss of habitat in this part of the watershed, negatively affecting water quality and wildlife habitat. The Orange County coastal plain is composed of alluvium derived from the mountains. Upstream from the Santa Ana Canyon lay Prado Dam and Prado Wetlands; a portion of the Santa Ana River flows are passed through the Prado Wetlands to improve water quality and remove nitrates before being used for Orange County Groundwater Basin recharge. Santiago Creek, the only 2-86

87 major tributary to the lower Santa Ana River, joins the Santa Ana River in the City of Santa Ana. The lower limit of both the groundwater recharge area and the Santa Ana River s ordinary flows is 17th Street in the City of Santa Ana. Prior to channelization of the lower part of the Santa Ana River, the channel used to meander slowly across broad flood plains. Currently, the Santa Ana River is a concrete channel from 17th Street in the City of Santa Ana to Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach. The riverbed is ordinarily dry from 17th Street in the City of Santa Ana to the Victoria Street Bridge. The Greenville-Banning Channel, which carries stormwater discharge and urban runoff, is channelized to the Victoria Street Bridge where it joins the Santa Ana River. Discharge from the Greenville-Banning Channel combines with tidal flow from the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ana River is wet from the Victoria Street Bridge to the mouth of the Santa Ana River. Geologic and Hydrologic Features of the Newport Bay Watershed. The Newport Bay Watershed encompasses an area of approximately 154 square miles. The watershed is bounded to the north by the Santiago Hills (Loma Ridge) and to the south by the San Joaquin Hills. The Tustin Plain, a broad alluvial valley, occupies the major portion of this watershed. The Newport Bay Watershed is within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic unit no The watershed is composed of the San Diego Creek sub-watershed, with an area of 119 square miles, which is the largest system draining into Upper Newport Bay. The Santa Ana Delhi Channel drains 17 square miles and Big Canyon Wash drains 2 square miles. The remaining 16 square miles are divided among several small sub-watersheds that discharge into lower Newport Bay. Upper Newport Bay is a drowned river valley, initially formed by the Santa Ana River in approximately the mid-pleistocene (1.8 million to approximately 10,000 years before present [BP]), a time when sea level was approximately 100 feet lower than the current level. During the Holocene (10,000 years BP to present), the Santa Ana River is thought to have changed course west and away from its former outlet into Upper Newport Bay (USACE 2001a). Sedimentation in and near Newport Bay has had major impacts on the local geomorphology. The sand spit known as the Balboa Peninsula is the result of sediments from the Santa Ana River and other sediment-laden waters interacting with ocean currents. The present configuration and large size of the Balboa Peninsula is apparently the result of growth from an excessively large sediment influx into the ocean upcoast (northwest) during the flood season (USACE 2001a). Excessive sedimentation remains an identified problem in San Diego Creek and Upper Newport Bay. The San Diego Creek channel system underwent significant natural and man-made changes during the 20th century. Circa 1900, essentially no defined channels had developed in the Tustin Plain. Storm flow from the Santiago and San Joaquin Hills mainly entered an ephemeral lake in the form of sheet flow or groundwater. The outflow from this lake was prevented from entering Upper Newport Bay by a natural ridge at the head of the Upper 2-87

88 Newport Bay Trough. Most of the flow emptied into the Santa Ana River, which entered the Pacific Ocean through the Newport-Mesa area (USACE 2001b). The ephemeral lake and the alkali flat area to the north and east were usually swampy and marshy. These wet areas and the remainder of the Tustin Plain were later drained by ditches primarily constructed during 1902 and The ditches throughout the wet areas were originally used to drain the low-lying areas and to flush out the alkali, while those in the eastern portion of the Tustin Plain were designed to remove the irrigation return flow and to prevent floodwater from inundating crop and orchard lands (USACE 2001d). The irrigation system was gradually expanded to integrate the natural drainage of San Diego Creek and routed into Upper Newport Bay. Based on USGS topographic information, the drainage system was well developed by the early 1930s. The lower reaches of San Diego Creek and Peters Canyon Wash were modified for flood protection, primarily during the 1960s when the easements were granted to OCFCD (USACE 2001b). The uppermost portion of Upper Newport Bay contained salt evaporation ponds and was separated from the rest of the bay by an earthen dike. Heavy stormwater runoff destroyed the salt ponds and breached the dike in Subsequent sedimentation events during the storm season in 1978 and 1980 made Upper Newport Bay shallower, and intertidal salt marsh vegetation became established and expanded rapidly. In 1985, 85 acres of Upper Newport Bay were dredged to create the Unit I Sediment Control Basin (depths 3 to 7 feet mean sea level). A second dredging project in 1988 created the 37- acre Unit II Sediment Control Basin, just south of the Main Dike (depth 14 feet mean sea level). Both basins have worked well, collecting large volumes of coarser grained sediment from periodic flood runoff, primarily from San Diego Creek. These basins continue to require extensive maintenance dredging, which is ongoing. Open-water estuary/marine aquatic habitats still predominate in Newport Bay. The current shoreline includes scattered bare and disturbed areas, extensive intertidal salt marsh with cordgrass, less common pickleweed, rare eelgrass, and small fringing areas of willow/mulefat scrub wetland. Algae and other forms of plankton are seasonally dominant. Studies of physical conditions in Upper Newport Bay confirm a picture of significant tidal, seasonal, and annual variability. During peak storms, the upper part of Upper Newport Bay has been characterized by a well-mixed, freshwater column. During lesser flows, salinity stratification has been noted in the lower part of Upper Newport Bay, with fresh water overlying slightly diluted seawater (Orange County 1998). 2-88

89 Changes in land use from ranching and grazing to farmland resulted in the discharge of pesticides and nutrients into San Diego Creek and Upper Newport Bay. Since the 1960s, commercial, residential, and light industrial development has replaced open space and agricultural lands. Development and the related increase in impervious surfaces has increased runoff and altered drainage patterns. Several drainages were channelized for flood control because the amount of runoff necessitated increasing the size and number of channels that drain into San Diego Creek and Upper Newport Bay. As a result, the aforementioned basins were constructed to control sedimentation of the bay (USACE 1999). Additional erosion control structures were installed in the channels. Channel erosion is most evident along Borrego Canyon Wash and Serrano Creek, where the estimated flow velocities are generally greater than 10 feet per second (Chang 2008). Geologic and Hydrologic Features of the Newport Coast. The geology of the Newport Coast is characterized by consolidated sandstone, shale, and volcanic rocks that are overlain along the coastline by terrace deposits and along the larger streams by thin and narrow alluvial deposits. The consolidated rocks are offset and uplifted along numerous faults. A major portion of the Newport Coast is underlain by the Monterey Formation, marine shale, which extends inland as much as 1.5 miles. The Monterey Formation is a Miocene marine formation that is the likely source of selenium in Big Canyon Wash and the Newport Coast drainages. Other inland portions are characterized by outcrops of the Tertiary Vaqueros and Topanga marine sandstones and the San Onofre Breccias, which are ancient landslide deposits (Todd, 2006). Geologic and Hydrologic Features of Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour. The Anaheim Bay- Huntington Harbour and Lower San Gabriel River/Coyote Creek Watersheds are also part of the Santa Ana River Watershed. The Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbour watershed encompasses an area of 81 square miles. The main surface water systems that provide drainage in this watershed are the Bolsa Chica Channel that provides drainage to the Anaheim Bay-Huntington Harbor Complex and the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Channel that carries flow to Bolsa Bay and ultimately to Huntington Harbour. The Coyote Creek Watershed encompasses an area of 85 square miles within the Santa Ana region. This watershed is in the northernmost portion of the Orange County. This watershed straddles the Los Angeles and Orange County border in its upper reaches and then continues through Orange County until it discharges into the San Gabriel River in Long Beach Soils The soil groups in the Newport Bay Watershed are described as: San Joaquin Hills and Loma Ridge/Santiago Hills slopes are strongly sloping to very steep, well-drained clays, clay loams, sandy loams, loams, gravelly loams, and cobble loams of the Alo-Bosanko and the Cieneba-Anaheim-Soper associations. 2-89

90 The area around Upper Newport Bay and the junction of the San Joaquin Hills and the Tustin Plain is the Myford association: level to moderately steep, moderately well drained sandy loam with strongly developed subsoil. These are soils developed on terraces. The vast majority of the Tustin Plain and the riparian zones of the numerous named drainages that collect water in the Tustin Plain are nearly level soils related to alluvial fans and floodplains of the Chino-Omni, Metz San Emigdio, and Sorrento-Mocho associations. The latter two are well to somewhat excessively drained sandy loams, clay loams, loams, and calcareous loamy sands. The Chino-Omni association is composed of poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained calcareous silt loams to clays (USACE 2001a). Major portions of the Santiago Hills and San Joaquin Hills contain soils with low infiltration capacities. Natural soils in the central portion of Upper San Diego Creek mainly consist of soils with higher infiltration capacities. Peters Canyon Wash upstream of the El Modena Irvine Channel confluence is also composed largely of soils with high infiltration capacities. In contrast, the drainage areas of the El Modena Irvine Channel lower Peters Canyon Wash, and lower San Diego Creek (downstream of Peters Canyon Wash) mainly consist of soils with low infiltration capacities (USACE 2001b). The soil types within the Newport Coast Watershed can be divided into three major soil associations: the Myford soil association situated on the terraces and the Alo-Bosanko association and Cieneba-Anaheim-Sopa association developed on sandstone and shale formations in the coastal hills. The Myford soil association is predominantly Myford soils, which are sandy loams greater than 60 inches thick on nearly level to moderately steep slopes. Myford sandy loam and Marina loamy sand soils occur extensively across the lower portions of the Newport Coast Watershed. The Alo-Bosanko soil association is characterized by clay soils, generally less than 40 inches thick, on relatively steep slopes. The Cieneba-Anaheim-Sopa association includes a variety of sandy loams, loams, clay loam, gravelly loams, and cobbly loams on steep slopes. Alo clay soils and Anaheim loams are extensive within the Newport Coast Watershed, and Calleguas clay loam is commonly found with the two hill associations (Todd 2006). Soils are important to the water balance because different soils have varying capacities to absorb and retain moisture (from rainfall or irrigation) and transmit water down toward the water table. An important characteristic of soils is their moisture-holding capacity; overall, the average soil moisture-holding capacity is low but reasonable for sandy and for relatively thin soils on steep topography. The soil moisture-holding capacity estimated for the local native soils is assumed to be representative of the local urban soils (Todd 2006). 2-90

91 2.6.3 Biological Resources Nine natural habitat types have been identified in the Newport Bay and Newport Coast Watersheds: woodland habitat; cliff and rock habitat; scrub habitat; chaparral habitat; grassland habitat; vernal pools, seeps, and wet meadows; marsh habitat; marine and coastal habitat; and riparian habitat. Woodland Habitat. Woodland habitats are multilayered vegetation communities dominated by trees that characteristically have an open canopy. The extent of woodland habitat in the watersheds is limited primarily to one subcommunity, coast live oak woodland. Coast live oak woodland is typically found on north-facing slopes and shaded ravines usually below 4,000 feet. It is described as evergreen woodland dominated by Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and reaching a height of 30 to 80 feet. The shrub layer is poorly developed but may include Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Currants (Ribes spp), Laurel Sumac (Rhus laurina), or Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus Mexicana). The herb layer is continuous and dominated by Bromegrass (Bromus diandrus) and several other introduced taxa. Cliff and Rock Habitat. Cliff and rock habitats are characterized by vascular plants and lichens that grow on steep, rocky faces. Some cliff faces have been identified in the San Joaquin Hills, in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, and around Upper Newport Bay. Scrub Habitat. Scrub communities are generally dominated by small shrubs with drought tolerant deciduous leaves. Most of the plant species found within these communities regenerates after fire events. These communities often occur on dry xeric sites, such as southfacing slopes, and provide structures for shelter and nesting. The Orange County Habitat Classification System identifies eight scrub communities within the county: southern coastal bluff scrub, maritime succulent scrub, Venturan-Diegan transitional coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub, Riversidian coastal sage scrub, floodplain sage scrub, chenopod scrub, and sagescrub grassland ecotone. The most prominent of these are the Venturan-Diegan transitional coastal sage scrub (described in the Central/Coastal NCCP), southern cactus scrub, and floodplain sage scrub (County of Orange, 1996). Chaparral Habitat. Chaparral communities are dominated by large arborescent shrubs that generally have large evergreen leaves. Most chaparral plant species regenerate from underground root structures after fire events. These communities generally occur on moderately moist mesic sites, such as north-facing slopes. Grassland Habitat. Grasslands consist of low-growing herbaceous species dominated by annual and perennial grasses and forbs. The native grassland communities that once blanketed the southern California landscape have largely been outcompeted by nonnative annual grasslands. 2-91

92 Existing native grasslands are presently restricted to designated open-space areas contained within the NCCP reserve system. Vernal Pools, Seeps, and Wet Meadows. Three types of vernal pools, seeps, or wet meadows are found in the Central Orange County WMA. The southern hardpan vernal pool is typically found on level grassland or scrub areas with a deep underlying clay hardpan layer. Alkali meadows are seeps and wet areas that occur in low-lying alkaline or saline soils. Freshwater seeps are isolated, small perennial water sources often associated with outcrops. Southern hardpan vernal pools have been observed in Whiting Ranch Regional Park, while alkali meadows and freshwater seeps are known to occur in and around Upper Newport Bay. Marsh Habitat. All four of the marsh habitats identified in the County of Orange inventory are represented in the Central OC WMA. Two of these, southern coastal salt marsh and coastal brackish marsh, are linked to Upper Newport Bay in the lower part of the watershed. Coastal freshwater marsh and cismontane alkali marsh are found near Newport Bay as well as in other areas of the Central OC WMA. The salt marsh bird s beak (Cordylanthus maritimus) is an endangered plant species that grows only in the salt marshes. Open-water estuary/marine aquatic habitats still predominate in Newport Bay. The current shoreline includes scattered bare and disturbed areas, extensive intertidal salt marsh with cordgrass, less common pickleweed, rare eelgrass, and small fringing areas of willow/mulefat scrub wetland. Algae and other forms of plankton are seasonally dominant. Marine and Coastal Habitat. Habitats in this category include tidal mud flats and marine openwater subtidal areas. Riparian Habitat. Riparian areas are defined as narrow ecotones that typically exist between the bankfull channel of alluvial streams and adjacent uplands. These systems are characterized by two distinct zones, although either may be absent under certain conditions. One zone is the portion of the riparian corridor that is flooded by a river or stream at least every 5 or 10 years. The other zone consists of abandoned floodplains or terraces that are now flooded only episodically during larger precipitation events Wildlife The mountainous zone, coastal foothills, and the central flats of the Newport Bay and Newport Coast Watersheds provide a tremendous diversity of habitat types distinguished by their microclimate, slope aspect, and soil type. These habitats provide nesting, breeding, and foraging habitat for hundreds of wildlife species. Native species include large resident predators such as the mountain lion (Felis concolor californica) as well as migratory birds and waterfowl such as 2-92

93 the southwestern willow flycatcher that spend only a part of the year along willow-dominated riparian corridors (USACE 2001c). A total of 20 federal- and state-listed endangered and threatened wildlife species have been identified as historically, currently, or potentially occurring within the County of Orange area, with 6 species currently occupying the WMA. Of the 20 listed species previously observed in the area, four species can survive only in riparian ecosystems California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailli extimus), least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii), and Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) and two species are not associated with riparian ecosystems (coastal California gnatcatcher and Riverside fairy shrimp). Two endangered species, the light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) and the California least tern have been observed in Upper Newport Bay. 2.7 Climate Change Impacts on the Region Climate change is a shift in the average weather that a given region experiences. This is quantified by changes in climate variables such as average temperature, average precipitation, wind patterns, and changes in extremes in temperature and precipitation. Although the Earth s climate is always changing, the current climate change occurring today differs from previous climate changes in both its rate and its magnitude. Climate change is affecting California in many ways, several of which impact our water resources: sea levels are rising, snowpack is decreasing, and water temperatures are increasing. In the future, droughts are expected to become more frequent and more severe, and storm intensities are expected to increase. These changes affect our ability to meet crucial water management objectives such as ensuring reliable water supply and quality, managing floods, and protecting ecosystem functions and critical habitats. Water resource planners need ways to integrate climate change considerations into decisions and planning processes, today and in years to come. Integrated regional water planning is an excellent framework for addressing water-related climate impacts, as it provides a process for stakeholders with varied waterrelated priorities to work together to develop solutions that satisfy all water uses and needs. Because climate change impacts so many aspects of water resources, this process is ideal for addressing adaptation to climate change and for developing measures to help mitigate future climate change. Planning for climate change can be viewed as a process of assessing risks related to climate change, evaluating and selecting strategies that appear most effective based on current knowledge, and monitoring conditions and updating strategies as knowledge improves. The Climate Change Handbook for Regional Water Planning (US EPA Region 9 and CA DWR, November 2011) outlines a process for accomplishing this in the context of regional water 2-93

94 management. Many of the potential and observed impacts from climate change on water resources are depicted in Figure Figure 2-26: Potential and Observed Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in California Source: Following steps to understanding climate change impacts in the Region allows regional water management planners to assess risks and impacts, and informs decisions concerning possible future actions. A climate change impact assessment may indicate that immediate action is required to avert unacceptable impacts or threats, even though analysis indicates that those threats may not become critical for several years. Using the results of the assessment, resource management strategies can be prioritized to best the Region. Adapting to climate change impacts continues to be an ongoing process, becoming more adaptable over time is critical to addressing to climate change. This includes improving 2-94